The Dog 狗
loyal · honest · protective · fair-minded
Dog personality
Best traits: loyal, honest, protective, fair-minded. Dogs have a strong sense of right and wrong and will stand up for a friend or a principle. They are sincere, reliable, and modest.
Weak spots: They can be anxious, pessimistic, and quick to see the worst in a situation. Dogs may guard old worries longer than needed.
Dog years
People born in these years are Dogs (check the Chinese New Year cut-off if you were born in January or February):
1934 · 1946 · 1958 · 1970 · 1982 · 1994 · 2006 · 2018 · 2030 · 2042
Dog compatibility
- Best match: Rabbit — the classic "secret friend" pairing.
- Also strong: Tiger, Horse (same affinity triangle).
- Hardest match: Dragon (direct opposition).
See how the Dog pairs with all 12 signs →
The Dog by element
Every Dog also has one of five elements, set by the birth year: Wood Dog · Fire Dog · Earth Dog · Metal Dog · Water Dog. The element colours the personality — see how the five elements work.
Lucky for the Dog
Numbers: 3, 4, 9. Colors: green, red, purple. Suggested careers: lawyer, teacher, police officer, activist, vet.
Frequently asked questions
What years are Dog years?
Recent Dog years are 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042. They repeat every 12 years. If you were born in January or February, check the Chinese New Year date for your year.
What is the Dog personality like?
Dogs have a strong sense of right and wrong and will stand up for a friend or a principle. They are sincere, reliable, and modest. On the difficult side: They can be anxious, pessimistic, and quick to see the worst in a situation. Dogs may guard old worries longer than needed.
Who is the Dog most compatible with?
The Rabbit (the "secret friend" pairing), plus the Tiger and Horse. The hardest match is the Dragon.
Is the Dog a lucky sign?
No sign is luckier than another in the Chinese zodiac — each has strengths and weaknesses. The Dog's lucky numbers are 3, 4, 9 and lucky colors are green, red, purple.