Dating in 2025 is hard. So hard that people are now seeking a boyfriend with dog-like qualities. Picture this: he remembers your coffee order and replies to your texts before you even hit send. Meet the Golden Retriever boyfriend, known for being sweet, devoted, and emotionally available. While the term is part of a social media trend, he’s becoming a standard for what a healthy romantic partner looks like.
Golden Retriever Boyfriends (GRBs) are often described as the human embodiment of the beloved dog breed, loyal, affectionate, fun-loving, and protective. Their popularity reflects what many people are craving in relationships, which is stability, kindness, and emotional safety.
Why are GRBs stealing hearts?
The GRB is the guy who texts you good morning, helps you carry groceries, and never flakes or ghosts. He’s here for the long haul and could potentially become a genuine romantic connection with emotional maturity.
The GRB is someone who gives you the princess treatment, makes you feel safe, and is not afraid of being vulnerable, supportive, and kind. He's basically, a "good guy" amid the terrifying dating landscape in 2025.
Are GRBs the perfect partner?
GRBs don’t play games. They make you feel safe, adored, and emotionally seen without demanding anything in return. This doesn't necessarily mean that a GRB is "the one," but he will help reset your idea of what healthy love can look like, with effective communication and no drama.
However, when it comes to being a perfect partner, GRBs might be too eager to please, and their non-confrontational tendencies could prevent them from asserting their own needs, which is why it's important to encourage them to express their needs and desires.
Examples of GRBs:
Popularized on TikTok, the GRB term quickly became a reference for a certain brand of man: goofy but golden-hearted. Maybe not the most intellectual, he's never dumb and always ready to go the extra mile.
An example of GRB is Tom Holland, known for his adorable and protective PDA with Zendaya, or Glen Powell, who is charming, devoted, and always in good spirits.
Fictional GRBs include Andy Dwyer in 'Parks and Recreation,' Jim Halpert in 'The Office,' Chandler Bing in 'Friends,' and most recently, Jeremiah in 'The Summer I Turned Pretty.'
Black Cat boyfriend: The next alternative
But maybe you’re drawn to the emotionally complex, intense, and deep partners. This is where the Black Cat boyfriend enters the chat. Known for being sensitive, emotionally wounded, protective, and magnetic, this genre offers a slow-burn in a way that can only be felt, not explained.