Year of the Dog
The Dog is sign number 11 of the Chinese zodiac. People born in a Dog year are traditionally described as loyal, honest, protective and fair. Its fixed element is Earth, and each Dog year also carries the element of its year — Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal or Water.
Lucky and less favourable for the Dog
| Lucky numbers | 3, 4, 9 |
|---|---|
| Lucky colors | Red, Green, Purple |
| Lucky directions | East, South, Northeast |
| Less favourable numbers | 1, 6, 7 |
| Less favourable colors | Blue, White, Gold |
| Less favourable directions | Southeast |
Compatibility
| Harmonious trine (三合) | Tiger, Horse |
|---|---|
| Secret friend (六合) | Rabbit |
| Clash (六冲) | Dragon |
| Harm (六害) | Rooster |
| Punishment (刑) | Ox, Goat |
In your own animal year (本命年, Ben Ming Nian) tradition recommends caution — and wearing something red. Years of your clash sign also call for care.
Dog years and exact dates
The Chinese year starts at the Lunar New Year, not on 1 January. If you were born in January or February, check the exact start date.
| Year | Element | From – to |
|---|---|---|
| 1922 | Water Dog | Jan 28, 1922 – Feb 15, 1923 |
| 1934 | Wood Dog | Feb 14, 1934 – Feb 3, 1935 |
| 1946 | Fire Dog | Feb 2, 1946 – Jan 21, 1947 |
| 1958 | Earth Dog | Feb 18, 1958 – Feb 7, 1959 |
| 1970 | Metal Dog | Feb 6, 1970 – Jan 26, 1971 |
| 1982 | Water Dog | Jan 25, 1982 – Feb 12, 1983 |
| 1994 | Wood Dog | Feb 10, 1994 – Jan 30, 1995 |
| 2006 | Fire Dog | Jan 29, 2006 – Feb 17, 2007 |
| 2018 | Earth Dog | Feb 16, 2018 – Feb 4, 2019 |
| 2030 | Metal Dog | Feb 3, 2030 – Jan 22, 2031 |
| 2042 | Water Dog | Jan 22, 2042 – Feb 9, 2043 |
Your Chinese animal is one part of your chart. See your lucky stones, colors, numbers and years from four traditions.
Get my free lucky chartFrequently asked questions
What are the lucky numbers for the Dog?
Popular Chinese astrology gives the Dog the lucky numbers 3, 4, 9 and the less favourable numbers 1, 6, 7.
What colors are lucky for the Dog?
Lucky colors for the Dog are Red, Green, Purple; less favourable colors are Blue, White, Gold.
Which signs are most compatible with the Dog?
The Dog forms a harmonious trine with the Tiger, Horse and a “secret friend” pair with the Rabbit. Its classical clash is with the Dragon.
Other animals
Lucky numbers, colors and directions: popular Chinese astrology as compiled by China Highlights.