Year of the Dog: Zodiac Sign, Personality, Compatibility (2023)
The eleventh Chinese zodiac animal sign is the Dog. Like the animal that represents them, Dogs are conservative, loyal, and affectionate. Once they become close to someone, whether a friend or a romantic partner, the Dog will never betray their trust. At the same time, this zodiac sign tends to depend on others and often has a hard time making their own decisions.
The zodiac signs in Chinese culture determine everything in one’s horoscope from work to love, and are especially important to one’s love life and matchmaking—Dogs, for example, tend to be a suitable partner for Rabbits, but not Goats. Consulting a Chinese astrology fortune teller is tradition for couples when considering marriage to make sure their union will be auspicious. And beware if it’s your zodiac birth year, or your “Ben Ming Nian,” as you may experience elevated bad luck (so wear a red string on your wrist or red underwear to protect yourself).
Chinese Zodiac Years for Dog
There are 12 zodiac signs, so the year of the Dog comes around once every 12-year cycle. This system uses the lunar calendar, which is why each zodiac year starts around the time of the Chinese New Year in the lunar months of either late January or early February. Consult the zodiac calculator to make sure you’re a Dog. The last Dog year was 2018, and 2030 will be the one coming up next.
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Read moreChart of Dog Years, Dates and Elements
Year | Start of the Lunar Year | End of the Lunar Year | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
1922 | January 28, 1922 | February 15, 1923 | Water |
1934 | February 14, 1934 | February 3, 1935 | Wood |
1946 | February 2, 1946 | January 21, 1947 | Fire |
1958 | February 18, 1958 | February 7, 1959 | Earth |
1970 | February 6, 1971 | January 26, 1971 | Metal |
1982 | January 25, 1982 | February 12, 1983 | Water |
1994 | February 10, 1994 | January 30, 1995 | Wood |
2006 | January 29, 2006 | February 17, 2007 | Fire |
2018 | February 16, 2018 | February 4, 2019 | Earth |
2030 | February 3, 2030 | January 22, 2031 | Metal |
Dog Zodiac: Personality and Traits
Dogs are compassionate and loyal. They crave encouragement and affection. They’re intelligent and fast learners who enjoy being part of a team, although they can also be easily misled and manipulated. The Dog knows their own shortcomings well and will usually prefer to assist rather than lead both at work and in their personal life.
The Dog is loyal, quick, and a people person, although their sweet and trusting nature can be used against them if they’re not careful.
Part of the Dog’s charm is its direct and open manner. They speak their mind, so everyone knows perfectly how they stand with the Dog. Dogs are also kind and helpful toward those they consider their own, but befriending the Dog may mean having to deal with their occasional clinginess, as the Dog hates being alone. But all they’re looking for is a pat on the back and some encouraging words!
Dog people tend to be boisterous and love doing everything in a group. They’re liable to bring all seven of their best pals on a first date before they grow up a bit and understand that may not come across well. The Dog also wears their heart on their sleeve, which appears sweet to some, but too volatile for more introspective signs to deal with.
Male Dogs
Male Dogs are practical and affectionate. They’re loyal to their team, friends, and spouse. Nothing that could impact the Dog’s family will be tolerated, and it is only when someone could potentially harm their loved ones that this loving sign will bare their teeth. Being in a happy relationship should teach them the importance of compromise.
Female Dogs
Female Dogs are less forthcoming than their male counterparts. They are also naturally good partners if they can shed their shy and anti-romance tendencies. More likely, they’ll color inside the lines until a special someone draws them out of their shell. Then, these ladies will blossom like they’ve always secretly wanted to do.
Dog and the Five Elements
Chinese culture classifies everything, including the zodiac signs, into the elements of metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The Dog is an earth zodiac and is associated with the earthly branch. Your birth year will also determine which type of Dog you are. For example, a person born in 1994 is a Wood Dog, and one born in 2006 is a Fire Dog.
Element | Year | Personality |
|---|---|---|
Metal | 1970, 1930 | Metal Dogs are hardworking and take pride in being helpful toward others. They would never conceal their true intentions, which makes them excellent partners at work or in love. Their personable character helps Metal Dogs succeed professionally, as others will often extend a helping hand. Rest assured; Metal Dogs will return these favors and then some as soon as they can. |
Water | 1922, 1982 | Water Dogs are more courageous and strategic than other Dogs. They’re also the most responsible, possessing leadership qualities that will likely make them the most successful. Thankfully, Water Dogs will remain humble and giving even when success comes, which will inspire respect in those they work with and those they love. |
Wood | 1934, 1994 | Wood Dogs are easygoing but have a better idea of what works well for them than the others of this zodiac sign. Although they may not possess the absolute highest IQs of the bunch, Wood Dogs’ work ethic and tenacity will more than makeup for being a bit slower on the uptake. They will, like the tortoise, reach the finish line eventually and be rewarded with the lifestyle and comfort they’ve always wanted. |
Fire | 1946, 2006 | Fire Dogs are discerning of opportunities, no matter how many pieces of the puzzle are shifting. Their ambition will benefit from this unique ability and lead to financial returns, but Fire Dogs are advised to handle their hard-earned money with care and use it on those they love best. |
Earth | 1958, 2018 | Earth Dogs are always playing the long game, and as such, they won’t lose sleep over immediate wins or losses. They understand that the most important business is people and will work to cultivate good relationships with everyone they come across. Earth Dogs will not risk family happiness for any passing temptation. To them, the best reward is a comfortable old age, surrounded by friends and family that have been with them since the beginning. |
Lucky Things for Dogs
The Dog is an earth zodiac, which means anything associated with the earth element will bring good luck and fortune to the Dog. On the other hand, the wood element overcomes earth, so things associated with wood are considered unlucky. Here are some examples of what works and doesn’t work for the Dog.
Lucky Things
Lucky numbers: 2, 7
Lucky colors: Black, Yellow
Lucky directions: Northwest, Southeast
Lucky flowers: Natal Lily, Lucky Bamboo, Cymbidium Orchids
Things to Avoid
Unlucky numbers: 1, 6
Unlucky colors: Red
Unlucky directions: West, East
Other unlucky items or things to avoid: Pet cats or amphibians
Compatibility: Best and Worst Matches for Dog
Each zodiac sign possesses unique personality traits, romantic inclinations, and professional interests. As such, some signs get along better as friends, but particularly as romantic partners, while others clash.
The Dog is loyal, but not to just anyone. It’s of the utmost importance that they live the life they want with the person they choose to treasure. There’s a stubborn streak to this easygoing sign, after all, which requires patience and care from the other person.
The best romantic matches for the Dog are the Tiger, the Rabbit, and the Horse. These signs can see past the Dog’s go-with-the-flow attitude and see them for the principled and candid person that the Dog is.
On the other hand, the Dog doesn’t get along as well with the Ox, the Dragon, the Goat, or the Rooster. Trust is often absent from these pairings, though everyone knows how loyal the Dog is, and the Dog certainly doesn’t care for the conflicts that are constantly brewing in these romantic connections.
Most Compatible: Tiger, Rabbit, Horse
The best zodiac matches for the Dog are the Tiger, the Rabbit, and the Horse. These signs, while each different from the rest, appreciate the Dog’s unique capacity to express their affections and that loyal nature that no one else can quite match.
The Tiger and the Dog are both social creatures, although in very different ways. The Tiger is admired wherever they go, relying on a natural magnetism that attracts the Dog like everyone else, while the Dog’s genial personality singles them out in the Tiger’s discerning gaze. Once their eyes meet, the rest is history.
The Rabbit is free-spirited, even skittish at times, but the Dog knows how to tame that wild streak in their partner and provide enough emotional security for the Rabbit to feel safe enough to settle down. This anchoring makes the Dog appear mature and dependable in the Rabbit’s eyes, which turns out to be what the latter has been searching for all along.
The Dog and the Horse are two of the more energetic signs among the zodiacs. Neither may be very deep, but both find the other’s company comfortable as if they’ve known each other forever. The only minor hiccup is that the Horse must not neglect their partner because the Dog cannot stand to be left alone for too long.
Least Compatible: Ox, Dragon, Goat, Rooster
Because they highly value companionship, the Dog must choose a partner that they wholeheartedly love, and who doesn’t stop the Dog from progressing in life. Unfortunately, the Ox, the Dragon, the Goat and the Rooster are signs that most likely won’t help the Dog on their journey.
The Dog is fun and easy to be around, but not for the Ox. The Dog’s energy drains the Ox, while the Ox’s more pragmatic and work-before-play attitude certainly puts a damper on the Dog’s fun in life. According to the Dog, romantic partners aren’t just meant to suffer through years of hard work until some elusive financial goal is reached, which the Ox just doesn’t seem to agree with.
The Dog and the Dragon can’t stop having conflicts because neither finds the other trustworthy, and both will continue to hold their partner at bay until the union inevitably comes to an end. The Dragon is accustomed to dominating the relationship, while the Dog wants an equal and amiable partnership. Very different definitions of love, it seems.
The Dog and the Goat are both usually mild-mannered, but when these two come together, neither will step up to lead the relationship. They might blame each other when something goes wrong and accuse the other of being weak or a victim instead of working together towards a common goal, as both should theoretically know how to do. It’s a puzzle why these two can’t make it work, but they just can’t.
The Dog and the Rooster are very different temperamentally. The Rooster is way too avant-garde for the Dog’s conservative taste. On top of that, the Rooster shows their affection by picking out their partner’s flaws. That’s not the relaxing atmosphere that the Dog signed up for, and before too long, both will withdraw their interest and look elsewhere instead.
Best Jobs and Careers for Dog
Dogs will gravitate towards humble yet very honorable career paths, as doctors and nurses, for example, or as police officers, social workers, or firefighters. The Dog doesn’t mind working hard from entry-level positions in these tracks, and their hard work will eventually pay off in better career opportunities and possibly professional recognition.
Entrepreneurship and the arts aren’t exactly the Dog’s top choices. They much prefer careers with an established path, where they can work towards a visible goal—as a police chief or, perhaps, the department chief of a hospital. They’re people-oriented, which makes them excellent social workers and teachers, too.
The Dog also prefers to belong to a larger organization. That sense of belonging is necessary for the Dog to feel content in their career. They’ll be the ones who have memorized the company manual, and they won’t miss a single office happy hour. Thankfully, their loyalty will be rewarded by advancement, recognition, and plenty of coworkers turned friends.
Health and Lifestyle Advice
Dogs tend to be solidly built, with a seemingly indestructible physique and limitless energy. This is true to a certain extent, but many Dogs also suffer from minor ailments like respiratory and digestive discomfort. Don’t rest on your natural good health, Dog, but keep yourself active and well-cared for. That’s the only way to get the most out of life!
The Dog is by nature conservative and risk-averse, which is a good thing as they often miss key pieces of information when making financial decisions. The best choice for the Dog is to continue being prudent with their money and not to try anything too fancy, or that sounds too good to be true. The Dog should let their funds build up steadily instead of dreaming of them multiplying. That’s not really the Dog’s lot in life.
Dog and the 12 Zodiac Animals (Origin Story)
An origin story that’s been passed down in Chinese history recounts how the 12 animals secured their position as the 12 zodiacs. The Dog is man’s best friend, so perhaps, intuitively, they should have been near the top of the list, but it wasn’t to be. Read on to find out how the Dog became the eleventh zodiac sign.
The Jade Emperor, the legendary ruler of the heavens, decided to host a race across the celestial river to determine which animals should be honored as the zodiac signs. The Dog is an excellent swimmer, so many bets were on it to take the grand prize in this swimming contest.
Unfortunately, the Dog is also playful and not competitive at their core. It jumped into the river, but the water felt so refreshing on its skin that the Dog forgot all about the competition and bathed with joy in the celestial waters until the race had nearly ended. By the time the Dog reached the finish line, ten other animals had already beaten it to the punch.
Famous People Born in the Year of the Dog
Dogs can ingratiate themselves with their target audience with ease. As such, they can become quite a celebrity despite their unassuming appearance. Here’s a list of famous people born in the year of the Dog.
Michael Jackson
Justin Bieber
Donald Trump
George W. Bush
Madonna
Nicky Minaj
Prince William
Melania Trump
Anne Hathaway
Matt Damon
Jane Goodall