[Mithadan]

Welcome to the Barrow-Downs! I also found Tolkien's dragons to be compelling and interesting elements of his books. I cannot, however, say that I "like" Smaug or Glaurung. They are simply too evil. While not technically part of Tolkien's Middle Earth writings, Chrysophylax is far more likeable.

Dragons are a classic element of mythology dating back to ancient China and Japan. They are deeply ingrained in western (and British) mythology as well. Consider St. George's dragon. Tolkien also seemed fascinated by the beasts. He sometimes included them in his doodles. So it was not just easy for him to include them in his writings. I would guess he almost felt compelled to do so.