The Dog: The Loyal Eleventh Sign
狗 · gǒu — the 11th sign of the zodiac
Dog Personality
Loyal, honest, and protective, Dogs are the guardians of the zodiac. They have a strong sense of justice and will stand up for those they care about. Their reliability and sincerity make them trusted confidants.
Love & Relationships
Dogs are faithful and devoted partners who value trust above all. They harmonize with Tigers, Rabbits, and Horses; Oxen, Dragons, and Roosters may challenge their cautious nature.
Career & Money
Dogs excel in service and justice-oriented careers — law enforcement, healthcare, social services, and security. Their integrity and diligence earn lasting respect.
Dog Birth Years
The Dog year runs from one Chinese New Year to the next, not from January 1. Use the exact lunar ranges below to confirm your sign.
| Year | Lunar Year Range |
|---|---|
| 2030 | Feb 3, 2030 – Jan 23, 2031 |
| 2018 | Feb 16, 2018 – Feb 5, 2019 |
| 2006 | Jan 29, 2006 – Feb 18, 2007 |
| 1994 | Feb 10, 1994 – Jan 31, 1995 |
| 1982 | Jan 25, 1982 – Feb 13, 1983 |
| 1970 | Feb 6, 1970 – Jan 27, 1971 |
Born between Jan 1 and the Chinese New Year? Use the calculator with your full birth date for a precise result.
Your Birth Year Element
Your animal sign stays the same for life, but each birth year also carries its own heavenly-stem element — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, or Water. A 2006 Fire Dog and a 2018 Earth Dog share the same sign, yet the element shapes how that nature shows up in personality and fortune.
| Birth Year | Element | Trait Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | 戊 · Earth | Practical, stable, nurturing |
| 1970 | 庚 · Metal | Strong, determined, independent |
| 1982 | 壬 · Water | Intuitive, flexible, persuasive |
| 1994 | 甲 · Wood | Creative, generous, idealistic |
| 2006 | 丙 · Fire | Passionate, energetic, adventurous |
| 2018 | 戊 · Earth | Practical, stable, nurturing |
The stem-and-branch cycle repeats every 60 years. For a deeper look at how your element shapes your year, month, day, and hour of birth, try the BaZi Calculator or explore the five elements in detail.
Dog — 2026 Horoscope
Loyalty brings rewards for the Dog this year. Legal and financial matters resolve favorably. Nurture your closest bonds.
2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, which begins February 17, 2026. For deeper annual guidance covering career, love, health, and wealth, explore the full 2026 horoscope guide or calculate your personal BaZi chart.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the birth years of the Dog sign?
Dogs are born in 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030. In lunar calendar terms, the most recent Dog years run Feb 3, 2030 – Jan 23 and Feb 16, 2018 – Feb 5. If you were born in January or February, check the exact Chinese New Year date — your sign may belong to the previous year.
What element is the Dog in the Chinese zodiac?
The Dog is a Earth sign (Yang). Earth people are generally practical, stable, nurturing. The element combines with your animal to refine your personality: for example, a Earth Dog has a distinct temperament compared to Water Dogs born in other cycles.
Who is the Dog most compatible with?
Traditionally, the Dog matches best with Tiger, Rabbit, Horse. Relationships with Ox, Dragon, Goat may require more effort but can still thrive with understanding and compromise.
Is the Dog lucky in 2026?
For Dogs, 2026 (the Fire Horse year) brings mixed energy. Loyalty brings rewards for the Dog this year. Legal and financial matters resolve favorably. Nurture your closest bonds. For a sign-specific reading, combine this general guidance with your exact birth date using our BaZi Calculator.
What does the Dog sign symbolize?
In Chinese culture, the Dog represents loyalty, honesty, and protection. 狗 (gǒu) is the eleventh sign of the 12-year cycle.