Year of the Dog

Chinese zodiac Dog ranks 11th among 12 Chinese zodiac animals. Chinese Year of the Dog includes 2018, 2006, 1994, and 1982. 2030 will be the next Dog year. Dogs are regarded as man’s best friend and one of the most auspicious animals. The dog sign in the Chinese zodiac is the symbol of loyalty and companionship. And people born in the year of the Dog are related to responsibility, reliability, and devotion.

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Chinese Zodiac Dog Years

How do I confirm whether I am the Dog or not? The dates below can offer you some references. If a person was born in a Dog year, is he a Dog? Probably not. The whole Chinese zodiac system is set by the lunar calendar and starts from the Chinese Lunar New Year, the Spring Festival. People who were born in January may belong to the Rooster. And if a baby was born on February 9, 1994, he is a Rooster as well. Because the Spring Festival just begins the next day.

Recent Chinese zodiac Dog years include 2030, 2018, 2006, 1994, 1982, 1970, 1958, 1946, and 1934. As we know, there are 12 Chinese zodiac animals in total. Therefore, a Dog year will come in every 12 years. If your birthday is on January 30, 2006, a Fire Dog year, your next zodiac year will come in 2018. However, the next Fire Dog year needs you to wait until 2066. Considering the Five Elements theory, every Chinese zodiac sign is categorized into five types: Wood, Fire, Earth, Gold, and Water. Combined with 12 zodiac animals, each zodiac year with the same element comes in the 60-year cycle.

The following content can help you confirm if you are a Dog without using any zodiac calculators.

Years & Dates for Chinese Zodiac Dog

Zodiac Dog Horoscope 2026 (Year of the Horse)

As the 2026 year of the Horse is about to come, for people belonging to the Dog, you do not have a strong connection with the zodiac Horse; therefore, the overall horoscope is stable. Unlike Chinese zodiac signs like Horse, Rat, Ox, and Rabbit, things will run more smoothly for you.

The year of the Horse horoscope for the Dog sign in the Chinese zodiac is trending up, benefiting from favorable stars. In terms of career, you may get help from others. Improvements, promotions, and collaborations tend to come together.

Chinese zodiac Dog will carry a good fortune in wealth and love in 2026. Regular income maintains a stable or even increase, but there will be some unexpected expenditure; therefore, it is also important to be cautious about managing money. Single Dogs are expected to fall in love, and married Dogs need to strengthen the bond with their families. Besides, it needs Dog people to pay extra attention to the irregular meals and poor sleep.

Love & Relationships

Dog people keep a stable condition in terms of relationships. They can care about each other and receive pleasant surprises from partners. Blessed with “Triple Harmony” energy, single Dog people tend to gain harmonious relationships and plenty of chances to meet someone new. And you don’t have to worry about being single, cause there will be someone actively introducing a partner highly capable for you. And you just select someone truly suited to you.

Dogs in relationships are suitable for stepping into marriage, strengthening your bond further. Married Dogs will be more stable, but keep your boundaries with others. Someone may neglect families due to a busy schedule. Try to spend more quality time with each other and keep your balance between work and home life.

Career

It generally goes upward in a career. People born in the year of the Dog can receive more good work opportunities and smooth collaboration with clients. Blessed with a “San Tai” star, your professional qualities, combined with the help from others, can bring you chances to get promotions. As they assign you some overseas programs and business trips, actively participate in these tasks, and your problem-solving skills can help you gain an excellent result.

For Dogs in management areas, the “Jiang Xing” star will enhance your leadership to manage the whole team orderly. People in the artistic field will be endowed with more inspiration to show their talents, as the “Hua Gai” star appears. But do not let your arrogance get in the way of your interpersonal relationships.

Wealth

The main job brings the zodiac Dog considerable income in 202. Although you get your revenue increase, you should still control your spending. In that case, the collaborative projects tend to bring you more gains. However, expenses are prone to rise with the strong fire energy in this year, especially in terms of social engagements. Dog people tend to reap earnings from side work with their intelligence. Note that staying rational is key to avoiding impulsive decisions.

Health

People born in the year of the Dog are prone to face some issues, with their physical condition being quick. Therefore, it is crucial to take care of yourself to prevent the condition from worsening. There will be so many tasks to handle, which may lead to irregular meals and poor sleep. Affected by the “Wu Gui”, you may suffer from muscle twitches, insomnia, and night sweats.

Besides, extra caution is needed when driving. With the “Hua Gai” star appearing, the zodiac Dog is faced with moon swings. Regular eating habits and sleeping patterns can help you maintain a stable emotional equilibrium.

Lucky Things for Dog Zodiac

Lucky Things

Lucky Number: 3, 4, 9
Lucky Colors: red, green, purple
Lucky Flowers: rose, cymbidium orchids
Lucky Directions: east, south, northeast
Lucky Months: the 6th, 10th, and 12th Chinese lunar months

Unlucky Things

Unlucky Numbers: 1, 6, 7
Unlucky Colors: blue, white, gold
Unlucky Directions: southeast
Unlucky Months: the 5th and 8th Chinese lunar months

Chinese Zodiac Dog Personality Traits

Strengths of Dogs

People under the Chinese zodiac Dog are faithful, whether with people or work. Once their relationships are founded, they will be devoted. When friends are in trouble, they will offer help without hesitation. Even in the workplace, they will be loyal to the team and willing to go all out for long-term development. Most Dogs are friendly and good listeners, patiently listening to others and giving comfort.

The dog in the Chinese zodiac is responsible for everything in work and life, and treats every task carefully. Once they commit, they will try their best to do that. Acting in a cautious style, making decisions carefully, and thoroughly assessing risks are their features. At the same time, they focus on reality instead of fantasy and prefer to achieve goals through practical efforts.

The dog natives’ personality is upright, without tolerance towards unfair things. They are willing to stand up to express dissatisfaction. When someone is bullied, they would be the first ones to stand out to help.

Weaknesses of Dogs

Sometimes, Dogs are too stubborn to accept others’ ideas. Even when faced with new evidence or reasonable advice, it is hard to change their minds, which can lead to disagreements in teamwork and missing out on better solutions. Some Dogs are accustomed to following fixed patterns when coping with things that lack flexibility and innovation. It does not benefit from rapidly figuring out the strategies.

Dog people are sensitive and easily affected by the outside world. Negative judgment may cause them to be immersed in frustration for a long time, affecting work and life. Besides, the Dog is often concerned about the future, even if they are in good condition. All kinds of problems that may arise in their minds bring unnecessary pressure on themselves and cause them to miss opportunities.

Dog Man Personality

Advantages: The steadiness of Dog men can bring the partner a sense of security. They can take responsibility. Their steadfastness is also embodied in terms of work, which makes them trusted by their leaders. Male Dogs know the difference between right and wrong. One of their distinctive features is agility, and they try their best to do things with leadership and flexibility. Dogs men focus less on objective reasons, not complaining to others.

The advantages of Dog people are that they are loyal, brave, and full of a sense of justice. They'd rather take this on by themselves than cause others trouble. Dog men do not like to take risks, unlike other men who have adventurous thoughts. They shield themselves from all kinds of potential risks and protect loved ones well. For Dog boys, a stable life is an enjoyment, which makes them secure.

Men born in the year of the Dog are very serious, which is mainly reflected in dealing with problems. They are so dedicated as not to be distracted by other things. They tend to take the task seriously and are seldom affected by other factors.

Disadvantages: The main disadvantage of Dog Boys is that they lack assertiveness when thinking about problems. A strong blindness makes them obstinate and refuse to change their course until faced with insurmountable obstacles. Acute handling often leads to their giving up halfway; therefore, it is recommended to focus on reality and cultivate self-restraint and self-motivation. Because of a lack of motivation, they should be cautious in acting on their own judgment, or they will suffer from great setbacks.

A bit wooden is one of the Dog people’s disadvantages. The main reason is that they are not good at talking with others and do not know how to be flexible, which is also reflected in the fact that Dog boys do not know how to please girls. For Dog men, being tactful is hard for them, especially when it comes to work. They tend to follow the rules accordingly.

Dog boys are very conservative, and their lives tend to be boring, especially when it comes to love. Men born in the year of the Dog do not know how to sweet-talk, which will make their partners think that they are on purpose. On the other hand, it is hard for the zodiac Dog to accept new things. This kind of stubbornness in thinking is detrimental to their development.

Dog Woman Personality

Advantages: Dog women's personalities are not only enthusiastic and good-looking but also independent-minded. And they are easy-going. As long as you get along with them, you will find that they are friendly and expect to build a deep friendship. They will not chase the trend, but they have their own unique artistic taste, which makes them more lively.

Dog women are so vigilant that they do not trust others easily. Once you trust someone, she'll treat you as a close friend. If someone important is offended, especially their families, they will be the first ones to stand up. Whether treating families or friends, they are not used to cheating. They prefer to treat each other with sincerity.

The most distinctive strength of female Dogs is enthusiasm, mainly reflected in two aspects: life and work, especially at work. Dog girls are hard-working, and they tend to concentrate totally on work. As long as Dog Women thinks it's worth doing, she will do her best to do it.

In addition, women born in the Year of the Dog are willing to help others in life. They have a clear-cut stand on what to love and what to hate, without an ambiguous attitude. Therefore, they will obviously turn a blind eye to those they don't like.

Disadvantages: Dog girls are usually quiet, and they don't like to talk much. This kind of personality tends to make Dog girls clumsy and rigid. Although female Dogs are very loyal, it is hard for them to say nice things, which makes people not know their inner thoughts very well and causes a lot of trouble for them. Moreover, women born in the year of the Dog love to ponder, but tend to think superficially. It's hard to find the crux, which is easy to overlook.

There is a persistence in female dogs’ hearts. If they do not understand something, they will get to the bottom of it, which not only wastes time but also causes others to be impatient. Besides, Dog women tend to be extremely persistent with something that they do not need to persist, which will make people think that it is difficult to communicate.

Chinese Zodiac Dog Traits Based on Five Elements

According to the Five Elements, every zodiac sign is associated with one of the elements. The Chinese zodiac sign Dog belongs to the Earth. As mentioned before, a Dog is divided into five types with different traits as well. Scroll down and see what kind of Dogs you belong to.

Elements of Dog Personalities Recent Years Wood Dog Reliable, honest, upright, and devoted 1934, 1994 Fire Dog Hardworking, kind-hearted, and prudent 1946, 2006 Earth Dog Down-to-earth, respectful, persistent, versatile, and conscientious 1958, 2018 Gold Dog Independent, cautious, and good-looking 1970, 2030 Water Dog Foresighted, responsible, considerate, but self-centered 1922, 1982

Chinese Zodiac Dog Compatibility

In Chinese astrology, Chinese zodiac signs are derived from Earthly Branches (地支). Some zodiac sign groups are meant to be together, while some of them do not get along well with each other. Those who do not have good compatibility need to put more effort into pushing the relationships.

Explore the following content and learn more about which zodiac sign has good compatibility with Chinese zodiac Dog.

Best Matches: Rabbit, Tiger, Horse

Dog and Rabbit Compatibility: The Chinese Dog zodiac sign and the Rabbit form the Liu He group (six harmonious combinations of Chinese zodiac animals). In Chinese astrology, people believe that Liu He is one of the most compatible groups. The dog Chinese zodiac personality is sincere and genuine. And the Rabbit is gentle and conscientious. The two sides are matched perfectly, understanding and tolerating each other. In terms of cooperation, Dog people’s astuteness can be matched with the Rabbits’ flexibility. In relationships, they can offer emotional support to the family.

Dog and Tiger Compatibility: Chinese zodiac Dog and the Tiger belong to the San He combination (the three harmonious combinations of Chinese zodiac animals). The two sides will appreciate each other. Dog people are honest and reliable. Tiger people are confident and brave. As their common point, reliability pushes them to be positive about work and life. It also makes them work together to achieve the same goal. Teamwork pushes progress. And in daily life, they could be tacit companions and encourage each other to move forward.

Dog and Horse Compatibility: People born in the year of the Dog and Horse form one of the San He groups as well. Both sides are enthusiastic about life and keep steadily going after their goals. Chinese zodiac sign Dog focuses on details, and the Horse is aggressive and courageous in exploring innovation. Being together, they can gain some achievements in their careers. They tend to show appreciation toward each other even in life.

Worst Matches: Dragon, Ox, Snake

Dog and Dragon Compatibility: Zodiac Dog and the Dragon form the Liu Chong group (Six Conflicts in Earthly Branches). In Chinese astrology, this pattern means conflicts and opposition. People with the zodiac Dog are loyal and steadfast, laying emphasis on principles and acting stably. While the Dragon is assertive and creative, it pursues goals bravely. The difference in quality and approach makes it easy to have contradictions. In the workplace, Dogs prefer to act as pets. And Dragons are prone to act audaciously.

Dog and Ox Compatibility: DThe og in the Chinese zodiac and the Ox belong to the San Xing group (Three Punishments), indicating their dissonance. The Dog prefers to deal with relationships based on emotional factors, while the Ox is stubborn and tends to stick to their own mind, less affected by affection. Hurdles are prone to pop up between them when communicating.

Dog and Snake Compatibility: In the Chinese theory of mutual generation and restriction, Dog natives and the Snake are in the Liu Hai group (Six Harmful Relationships). Chinese zodiac snake and dog compatibility is average. An old saying goes like “The match between the Snake and the Dog is full of friction”; it is believed that the combination of Dog and Snake people will face many ups and downs.

Zodiac Dog is righteous and blunt, focusing on emotional communication and treating partners frankly. The Snake is subtle and smart, but not easy to express inner thoughts. They are sensitive and introverted sometimes. Both of you are alert. More understandings about each other are needed. It is suggested to be more active to show your love, which will make your relationships stable. Therefore, communication is the key point.

Career Guide for Dog People

Teachers: Dog Chinese zodiac personality is responsible, excelling at loving and caring for children. In the process of teaching, they focus not only on instilling knowledge but also on cultivating virtues and behaviors. It is suitable for them to be leaders in their journey to grow up.
Educational Consultant: Dogs can offer professional consulting services with their responsibility and enthusiasm, such as offering customized study plans for students and parents, and answering questions about educational policies.

Bank Teller: This position needs a high responsibility and caution, which are qualities that Dogs have. When handling business, like deposits, withdrawals, transfers, etc., they will carefully check every piece of information to ensure the safety of customer funds. At the same time, they answer customers' questions, provide high-quality financial services, and establish a good image of the bank.
Financial Risk Control Specialist: Dog people are cautious and pragmatic, which is suitable for financial risk control. They will conduct risk assessment and monitoring of financial business. Analyzing potential risk factors, formulating risk prevention measures, and ensuring the sound operation of financial institutions are their things.

Security Guards: Their loyalty and vigilance make them get the job done perfectly. They conscientiously perform, inspect, and prevent safety accidents. When faced with emergencies, they can stay calm and take decisive measures to maintain safety and order.
Security Consultant: With a keen insight and a strong sense of responsibility, they provide security consulting services for enterprises or institutions, such as assessing security risks, guiding the construction of safety facilities and personnel training, and helping customers improve their security prevention capabilities.

Dog in Chinese Culture

1. Dog Images
One of the most typical cartoon characters belongs to Pluto, a pet dog of Mickey Mouse, created by Disney Animation Studios in 1930. Getting into trouble sometimes, but Pluto is faithful enough to protect Mickey from danger.

In Chinese culture, there are diverse images of the Dog as well, like the Xiaotian Dog (a celestial dog in Chinese mythology). Xiaotian Dog is the mythical beast of Erlang Shen, Yang Jian (a character in the Legend of Nezha). Looked white and thin, agile and swift, and it can bite enemies with a strong bite force. The dog also plays an important role in hunting and killing demons, which is also the representative of loyalty and bravery.

2. Symbol of Loyalty
It is well-known that Dogs’ loyalty to their owners makes them a symbol of loyalty. An idiom goes like “Serve one's master as faithfully as a dog or a horse.”, reflecting the dog’s faithfulness. In ancient times, it was often used to describe the loyalty of a courtier towards the monarch. Nowadays, it is used to describe a person’s devotion towards others or their career.

3. Symbol of Companion
For human beings, spending time with Dogs can bring emotional comfort. In some families, the Dog is considered an indispensable member for accompanying the elderly and children living alone. They play an important role in bringing warmth and joy. In many Western countries, Dogs are trained to comfort people suffering from mental illnesses.

4. Symbol of Guarding
Dogs are keen on hearing and smelling, noticing potential dangers, and warning by barking in the first place. Therefore, it is recognized as the guardian of houses. In the countryside, you can find that every family keeps a dog to guard the house at night to prevent thieves from invading. Dogs even appear in some buildings, implying the safety of the home.

Famous People Born in the Year of the Dog

Name Date Element of Dog Anne Jacqueline Hathaway November 12, 1982 Water Dog Kirsten Caroline Dunst April 30, 1982 Water Dog Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone August 16, 1958 Earth Dog Matt Damon October 8, 1970 Gold Dog Paul Wesley July 23, 1982 Water Dog Stanley Martin Lieber December 28, 1922 Water Dog Sylvester Stallone July 6, 1946 Fire Dog

Chinese Zodiac Dog Vocabulary & Idioms

Chinese Pinyin English 生肖 shēng  xiāo Chinese Zodiac 农历生日 nóng  lì  shēng  rì Lunar Birthday 你属什么 nǐ  shǔ  shĕn  me What is you Chinese zodiac animal? 我属狗 wǒ  shǔ  gǒu  de I am a Dog in the Chinese zodiac signs. 狗急跳墙 gǒu  jí  tiào  qiáng Desperate people will resort to anything. 狗血淋头 gǒu  xuè  lín  tóu Be cursed roundly. 狗仗人势 gǒu  zhàng  rén  shì A dog bites on the strength of its master's power. 狐朋狗友 hú  péng  gǒu  yǒu Evil associates. 鸡飞狗跳 jī  fēi  gǒu  tiào In a state of chaos. 鸡鸣狗盗 jī  míng  gǒu  dào The profession of a burglar. 狼心狗肺 láng  xīn  gǒu  fèi Heartless and ungrateful. 犬马之劳 quǎn  mǎ  zhī  láo Serve one's master as faithfully as a dog or a horse. 偷鸡摸狗 tōu  jī  mō  gǒu Be furtive and stealthy. 兔死狗烹 tù  sǐ  gǒu  pēng Kick out sb. after his services are no longer needed.