Gary Smalley has characterized the Four Temperaments as Animals – Lions, Otter, Golden Retrievers, and Beavers.

Each animal type comprises strengths and weaknesses and is designed to help describe how a person responds naturally toward human interaction in life and work situations.

The Animal Personality Type does not reveal anything right or wrong. Instead, it is an explanation as to how naturally you will act in the ways that are specific to that type of Temperament.

You can get to know the powerful choleric through how they walk in and take charge of everything.

They usually are the bosses at work or somewhat consider themselves to be.

Lions are decisive and are great problem solvers.

If you are a lion, you are an extravert and believe in setting goals and achieving them somewhat.

Moreover, your personality has traits like being a multi-tasker, hard-working and self-sufficient.

Your lion personality is individualistic and continuously searching for new opportunities and adventures.

On the flip side, your personality as a lion is very demanding and impatient, and you are impulsive and a poor listener.

You are quick-tempered and irritable and constantly make efforts to make your personality productive and purposeful.

You will become a great motivator for others. But, on the other hand, you will suffer in an environment where you are restricted from talking.

Otters are extraverts and love to be at the center of attention.

Otters have a lot of enthusiasm and energy, but you can get distracted easily and quickly.

An Otter’s personality traits can make them irresponsible and selfish; however, your friendly nature can quickly help others to forget your weaker tendencies.

If you are a Golden Retriever, your level of loyalty is so intense that you will take enormous punishment or pain when in a relationship and remain committed to it. 

You are willing to stay out of trouble and are an introvert who wants peace.

You have dry humor that will always keep your companions happy and laughing.

You avoid getting too involved in matters and prefer to sit back and watch; however, when you are aroused, you serve to be an efficient and competent person.

The Golden Retriever is sensitive, loves everyone, and can blend in any situation.

If you are a Beaver, you are an extreme introvert whose details over labor.

Your personality will shine in environments where standards, rules, and consistency are essential.

The perfectionist nature of a Beaver often makes such people prone to legalism and procrastination.

Moreover, when there are unrealistic standards, they can also lack in expressing warmth within a relationship.

The lion is a task-oriented leader who enjoys being in control.

They love challenges and arguments and show no fear.

They often come across as arrogant and uncaring.

The golden retriever is people-oriented and craves security.

They like to have a small group of close friends, and they make people feel welcomed and loved.

They're good listeners, very loyal, and will avoid conflict at any cost.

These two sound like opposites, don't they?

I guess it just shows that opposites attract.

The Lion/Golden Retriever is the most common pairing regarding marriage!

They work together like peanut butter and jelly.

The lion loves the golden retriever because they're good listeners, compliant, kind, and easy to get along with.

Golden retriever loves lion because they're solid and focused, and they make them feel safe.

Because they're so different, they can bring each other to become a more balanced person.

The biggest issue in this relationship is that the golden retriever will sometimes view the lion as "too harsh," while the lion will often consider the golden retriever "too wimpy."

Fortunately, they will always work through their differences and accept each other for who they are.

Another great pairing in the "animal kingdom" is the beaver and the golden retriever.

These two personalities are very similar.

The beaver likes to have lengthy, intelligent conversations with someone who understands them.

The golden retriever is the perfect person for the job.

They are both quiet introverts who prefer to sit back and watch the action than be in the midst of it.

The beaver is prone to depression and will spend much time comparing themselves to others, leading to a lack of self-confidence.

Luckily, their golden retriever pal is there to listen and offer support.

When you think of best friends, your mind should immediately jump to these two!

These two might not be as close as the golden retriever/beaver pairing, but they're still BFFs!

The OtteOttercheerful, enthusiastic, has many friends, and will talk your ear right off.

The Golden Retriever is calm, collected, has a few close friends, and is a great listener.

These two are BFFs!

The otteOtterires to please people and be accepted. Therefore they are easily offended and can be insecure at times.

Because the golden retriever is so thoughtful and understanding, they can make the otteOtterl better about themselves.

Likewise, the otteOtterngs the golden retriever out of their shell and can get them to be more adventurous and lively.

The Otter and the lion go together like mustard and strawberry jam. In other words, the two should never be mixed.

A lion is a no-nonsense person who likes to focus on a task and get it done right.

The Otter, on the other hand, is laid back and fun-loving but not so responsible.

If these two were paired in a group project, the lion would snap at the Otter and call them things like "selfish," "lazy," and "a waste of space."

The Otter would retaliate by calling the lion "uptight" and "a jerk" and wondering why they couldn't just go with the flow.

If you try to put these two together, whether in a work setting, a marriage, or a friendship, one thing's for sure: heads will roll.