India, Aug. 24 -- Rom-coms have always shaped the "ideal boyfriend" fantasy. From Mr Darcy to Edward Cullen, fictional men have set the tone for what people look for in partners. But in 2025, it isn't classic romance leads driving the internet's imagination - it's pets. Or at least, pet-inspired archetypes.

For years, the golden retriever boyfriend reigned supreme. Loyal, goofy, affectionate and endlessly supportive, he was the "green flag" partner Gen Z wanted: think Jeremiah Fisher in The Summer I Turned Pretty or Peter Kavinsky in To All the Boys I've Loved Before. On Instagram, the hashtag "Golden Retriever Boyfriend" has garnered millions of posts, with users discussing, dissecting, and gushing over this version of a partner.

But r...