Years of the Dog 1958 · 1970 · 1982 · 1994 · 2006 · 2018 · 2030

The Year of the Dog comes round every 12 years. The next one is 2030, the Year of the Metal Dog, which begins on 3 Feb 2030.

Every 12 years
Next: 2030
Sign: 11th of 12

Year of the Dog chart

The table shows every Year of the Dog from 1924 to 2043, with the exact start and end dates and the element that rules each one.

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.

When is the next Year of the Dog?

The next Year of the Dog is 2030, the Year of the Metal Dog. It runs from 3 Feb 2030 to 22 Jan 2031. After that the Dog returns in 2042.

What each element means for the Dog

Because the 12 animals are paired with five elements, the same combination only repeats every 60 years. Choose your birth year to see what your element adds to the Dog’s character.

Your zodiac year: běn mìng nián

When the Dog year comes round, everyone born under the Dog is in their běn mìng nián (本命年), their own zodiac year. Far from being lucky, tradition treats it as a year of change and challenge. The custom is to wear something red, such as a bracelet, socks or underwear, ideally given by an older relative.

Read the full Year of the Dog guide for personality, compatibility and career.

Years of the Dog questions, answered

What years are the Year of the Dog?

The Years of the Dog are 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030 and 2042. Each begins at Lunar New Year, which falls between 21 January and 20 February.

When is the next Year of the Dog?

The next Year of the Dog is 2030, the Year of the Metal Dog. It runs from 3 Feb 2030 to 22 Jan 2031.

Is my own zodiac year unlucky?

Tradition says the year of your own sign, called běn mìng nián, is a year of change that calls for extra care rather than a lucky one. Many people wear something red, often a gift from an older relative, for protection.