Just as with big dogs, toy dogs exhibit personalities according to how they're been raised. I have a golden retriever and, other comments in this thread notwithstanding, I defy anyone to find a better dog to raise with young children. They are the most gentle and loving dogs on the planet, and are more in tune with human feeling than any other animal I've ever experienced. They can read emotions and moods better than most people I know.

When my golden was a couple of years old, we got a shih-tzu. She's best friends with my golden and has a very similar personality. She's never barked, growled, or nipped in her life... she's like a 12-pound black and white retriever. Even small dogs can be perfect if they're raised right, and having a golden retriever "raising" your other dog can be great.