Move Over Golden Retrievers—Woman Makes a Case for the 'Pitbull Husband'

Move over adorable, loyal golden retrievers, a new dog—or husband—is in town.

It's the "pitbull husband", and one woman's video on TikTok is making the case that these qualities in a partner are just as lovable. A clip posted by Emz Frisch Leger (@emzztok) reveals her husband going about his daily activities, but with a demeanor that resembles a pit bull more than a fluffy golden retriever. Since it was posted on March 26, it has received over 927,000 likes and over 6,100 comments.

"Everyone talks about their golden retriever husbands. Well, I have a pitbull," she captioned the video. "Not too friendly...goofy, OCD [Obsessive Compulsive Disorder], protective, hardworking, providing, loyal."

The "golden retriever" partner trend on TikTok has soared to new heights—and new variations—in the past several months. The traditional golden retriever man is kind, accommodating, supportive, loyal and eager. Its counterpart, the pit bull, is firm, protective and dogged. Some have likened their partners to rottweilers instead of pit bulls, though, to communicate similar traits.

The trend doesn't just exist for men. Women are also likening themselves and their partners to pets to assess compatibility and personality differences. In one TikTok video, a "golden retriever" boyfriend discusses his relationship with a "black cat" girlfriend and the ways they balance his eager, extroverted character with her more reserved, introverted personality.

The possibilities continue to proliferate. Orange cat boyfriends, Chihuahua husbands, Doberman husbands and husky husbands were just some of the combinations mentioned under Leger's video alone—but comb through TikTok and the pet partnerships are endless.

People in the comments on Leger's video, though, are saying her pit bull analysis is pretty on-point.

"He got that Pitbull side eye down!" @luenagamaa wrote.

"He was watching soccer when he attacked the furniture," @kenisha.fernandes5 posted.

"Definitely a Pitbull. The moment he did a side eye it reminded me of my Pitbull," @angelsdevilkiss commented.

Some even wrote the video prompted them to reflect on their own partners—and preferences for partners.

"I literally had a thought yesterday to myself saying I don't think I'm meant to have a Golden Retriever husband," @bankslikeashli added. "I'd be too spicy for him."

"I always knew my husband wasn't a Golden Retriever but didn't know what dog he was," @mellyman666 posted. "Now I do."

The clip is just one in an extensive canon of couples being likened to animals. And while the trend continues to grow, it definitely gives more traditional compatibility metrics a run for their money.

A pitbull outside
A pit bull stands with its mouth open outside on the grass. A video on TikTok has gone viral for posing an alternative to the "golden retriever boyfriend." Getty Images

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer



To read how Newsweek uses AI as a newsroom tool, Click here.

Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek magazine delivered to your door
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go
Newsweek cover
  • Newsweek Voices: Diverse audio opinions
  • Enjoy ad-free browsing on Newsweek.com
  • Comment on articles
  • Newsweek app updates on-the-go