Chinese Zodiac
Year of the Dog
Xu (戌), the 11th of the 12 Earthly Branches.
Quick Answer
People born in the Year of the Dog include those born in 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 and 2030, counting from Lunar New Year rather than January 1. The next Year of the Dog is the Year of the Metal Dog, from February 3, 2030 to January 22, 2031. The Dog is loyal, honest, protective and fair-minded.
Years of the Dog
Each year starts at Lunar New Year. If your birthday falls before the start date, you belong to the previous animal.
| Year | Sexagenary Name | Starts | Ends |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 Wood Dog | Jia Xu (甲戌) | ||
| 1946 Fire Dog | Bing Xu (丙戌) | ||
| 1958 Earth Dog | Wu Xu (戊戌) | ||
| 1970 Metal Dog | Geng Xu (庚戌) | ||
| 1982 Water Dog | Ren Xu (壬戌) | ||
| 1994 Wood Dog | Jia Xu (甲戌) | ||
| 2006 Fire Dog | Bing Xu (丙戌) | ||
| 2018 Earth Dog | Wu Xu (戊戌) | ||
| 2030 Metal Dog | Geng Xu (庚戌) | ||
| 2042 Water Dog | Ren Xu (壬戌) |
Every Dog year from 1900 to 2100 is in the full table.
Dog Personality
The Dog is associated with loyalty, justice and a steady sense of right and wrong. It stands by the people it loves, and it can be anxious, pessimistic or quick to judge.
Strengths: Loyalty, integrity, protectiveness, sincerity. Challenges: Worry, cynicism, defensiveness.
The year element adds its own color: a Fire Dog is more outgoing and a Water Dog more reflective. Find your element by birth year in the table above.
The Dog in the Year of the Fire Horse
In the current Year of the Fire Horse (February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027), the Dog is not in conflict with Tai Sui. Its relationship with the Horse year sign is trine (san he).
Dog Compatibility
The Dog's best matches are the Rabbit, Tiger and Horse (Six Harmonies with the Rabbit, the Fire trine with the Tiger and Horse). Its classical clash is with the Dragon.
| Sign | Relationship | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | Six Harmonies (Liu He) | The closest classical pairing: complementary and supportive. |
| Tiger | Trine (San He) | Natural allies that share an element and a way of working. |
| Horse | Trine (San He) | Natural allies that share an element and a way of working. |
| Rat | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Snake | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Monkey | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Pig | Neutral | No classical relationship; depends on the full chart. |
| Rooster | Harm (Liu Hai) | Subtle misunderstandings that need patience. |
| Ox | Punishment (Xing) | A pairing said to test both people. Shown as Penalty in the chart. |
| Goat | Punishment (Xing) | A pairing said to test both people. Shown as Penalty in the chart. |
| Dragon | Clash (Liu Chong) | Opposite signs: strong attraction or friction, rarely indifference. |
Are You a Dog?
Check a birthday against the exact Lunar New Year date.
The Other Animals
Questions About the Dog
What Years Are the Year of the Dog?
People born in the Year of the Dog include those born in 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 and 2030, counting from Lunar New Year rather than January 1. The next Year of the Dog is the Year of the Metal Dog, from February 3, 2030 to January 22, 2031. The Dog is loyal, honest, protective and fair-minded.
What Is the Dog Personality in the Chinese Zodiac?
The Dog is associated with loyalty, justice and a steady sense of right and wrong. It stands by the people it loves, and it can be anxious, pessimistic or quick to judge. Strengths: Loyalty, integrity, protectiveness, sincerity. Challenges: Worry, cynicism, defensiveness.
Who Is the Dog Most Compatible With?
The Dog's best matches are the Rabbit, Tiger and Horse (Six Harmonies with the Rabbit, the Fire trine with the Tiger and Horse). Its classical clash is with the Dragon.
Is the Dog in Conflict With Tai Sui This Year?
In the current Year of the Fire Horse (February 17, 2026 to February 5, 2027), the Dog is not in conflict with Tai Sui. Its relationship with the Horse year sign is trine (san he).
I Was Born in January or February. Am I a Dog?
Your Chinese zodiac animal changes at Lunar New Year, not on January 1. Lunar New Year falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice, between January 21 and February 20, so anyone born in January or early February may belong to the previous year's animal. BaZi (Four Pillars) charts use a second boundary, the solar term Li Chun (Start of Spring), on February 3, 4 or 5. Look up your exact birth date to see both.
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