狗Chinese zodiac · 11th sign
Year of the Dog 狗 (gǒu) · Loyal, honest and fiercely protective
The Dog is the eleventh sign and the zodiac’s guardian. People born in a Dog year are faithful, fair-minded and quick to defend others.
- Yang sign
- Fixed element: Earth
- Hours: 7pm–9pm
- Branch: 戌 xū
Recent years
2006 · 2018 · 2030
Lucky numbers
3, 4, 9
Lucky colors
Red, green, purple
Lucky flowers
Rose, cymbidium orchid
Best matches
Tiger, Horse, Rabbit
Challenging matches
Dragon, Rooster
Year of the Dog dates
The Year of the Dog comes round every 12 years. Each one also carries one of the five elements, which is why a Wood Dog is not quite the same as a Fire Dog.
| Year | Dates | Element sign | Stem-branch |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | 14 Feb 1934 – 3 Feb 1935 | Wood Dog | 甲戌 (jiǎ xū) |
| 1946 | 2 Feb 1946 – 21 Jan 1947 | Fire Dog | 丙戌 (bǐng xū) |
| 1958 | 18 Feb 1958 – 7 Feb 1959 | Earth Dog | 戊戌 (wù xū) |
| 1970 | 6 Feb 1970 – 26 Jan 1971 | Metal Dog | 庚戌 (gēng xū) |
| 1982 | 25 Jan 1982 – 12 Feb 1983 | Water Dog | 壬戌 (rén xū) |
| 1994 | 10 Feb 1994 – 30 Jan 1995 | Wood Dog | 甲戌 (jiǎ xū) |
| 2006 | 29 Jan 2006 – 17 Feb 2007 | Fire Dog | 丙戌 (bǐng xū) |
| 2018 | 16 Feb 2018 – 4 Feb 2019 | Earth Dog | 戊戌 (wù xū) |
| 2030 | 3 Feb 2030 – 22 Jan 2031 | Metal Dog | 庚戌 (gēng xū) |
| 2042 | 22 Jan 2042 – 9 Feb 2043 | Water Dog | 壬戌 (rén xū) |
Born in January or February? The Chinese zodiac year starts at Lunar New Year, not on 1 January, so check the exact dates above. If your birthday falls before Lunar New Year you belong to the previous year’s sign. The Birth Destiny calculator works it out for you.
Dog personality
Dogs have a strong moral compass. They are straightforward, responsible and deeply loyal to friends and family. They can be wary of strangers and are prone to worrying about things they cannot control.
Strengths
- Loyal and trustworthy
- Fair and principled
- Responsible
- Good listener
Weaknesses
- Anxious or pessimistic
- Stubborn about principles
- Slow to trust
- Can be critical
The five types of Dog
Your birth year gives you an element as well as an animal. The Dog’s own fixed element is Earth, and each Dog year adds Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water on top, changing how the sign expresses itself. Choose your birth year to read about your type.
Dog love and compatibility
Dogs are faithful, protective partners. Trust comes slowly, but once given it is for life, and they need honesty above all.
In Chinese astrology the Dog gets on best with the Tiger, Horse and Rabbit. The Dragon is the Dog’s opposite sign, and the Rooster can also be a testing match.
Dog career and wellbeing
Career and money
Dogs do well in work with a clear purpose and a duty of care. They are dependable team members who stand up for others.
- Law and justice
- Teaching and social work
- Healthcare
- Security and public service
Health and wellbeing
Dogs carry other people’s worries. Exercise, time outdoors and talking things through lighten the load.
Lucky numbers: 3, 4, 9. Lucky colors: red, green, purple. Lucky flowers: Rose, cymbidium orchid.
The Dog in 2026 and 2027
How a year feels depends partly on how your sign relates to the animal that rules it.
2026: Year of the Fire Horse
17 Feb 2026 – 5 Feb 2027
The Horse belongs to the same compatibility triangle as the Dog, which makes 2026 a naturally supportive year for new plans.
2027: Year of the Fire Goat
6 Feb 2027 – 25 Jan 2028
A steady year for the Dog. In 2027 progress comes from consistent effort rather than lucky breaks.
The Dog in the Great Race
According to legend, the Jade Emperor invited the animals to race across a river, and the order in which they finished set the order of the zodiac. The Dog was a strong swimmer but could not resist playing in the river, and arrived eleventh.
The Dog is the 11th sign. It is linked with the earthly branch 戌 (xū), the hours 7pm–9pm and Yang energy.
Dog questions, answered
What years are the Year of the Dog?
Recent Years of the Dog are 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 and 2030. The Chinese zodiac year begins at Lunar New Year in late January or February, so people born early in the year should check the exact dates.
What is the Dog’s personality?
People born in the Year of the Dog are traditionally loyal, honest and protective. Dogs have a strong moral compass.
Who is the Dog most compatible with?
The Dog is most compatible with the Tiger, Horse and Rabbit. The most challenging matches are the Dragon and Rooster.
What are the Dog’s lucky numbers and colors?
The Dog’s lucky numbers are 3, 4, 9 and its lucky colors are red, green, purple. Numbers traditionally avoided are 1, 6, 7, and colors to avoid are blue, white.
What element is the Dog?
The Dog’s fixed element is Earth. In addition, every Dog year carries one of the five elements, giving five types: Wood Dog, Fire Dog, Earth Dog, Metal Dog and Water Dog.
Explore the other signs
Not sure of your sign?
Enter your date of birth to find your Chinese zodiac animal and element, your star sign and your life path number.