The Chinese zodiac is a cultural tradition, shared here for reflection, not as a prediction or a Buddhist teaching.
The Dog in Chinese tradition
The Dog is eleventh in the cycle. In Chinese tradition it stands for loyalty, honesty and a strong sense of fairness, the faithful friend who protects the home.
Traits traditionally linked with the Dog
Tradition describes people born in Dog years as:
- Loyal and trustworthy
- Fair-minded
- Protective of loved ones
- Kind to people in need
And, like everyone, with a few growing edges:
- Can worry about the future
- May be quick to judge unfairness
- Finds it hard to let go
Treat these as a mirror, not a destiny. In the Buddhist view, character grows from what we intend and do each day.
Dog years
The zodiac year begins at the Lunar New Year, in late January or February. If your birthday falls before that date, your animal is the one from the year before.
- 1934Wood Dogfrom Feb 14
- 1946Fire Dogfrom Feb 2
- 1958Earth Dogfrom Feb 18
- 1970Metal Dogfrom Feb 6
- 1982Water Dogfrom Jan 25
- 1994Wood Dogfrom Feb 10
- 2006Fire Dogfrom Jan 29
- 2018Earth Dogfrom Feb 16
- 2030Metal Dogfrom Feb 3
Compatible animals, in tradition
Tradition groups the animals into four "trines" of natural allies. The Dog's trine is the Tiger and the Horse. Its "secret friend" is the Rabbit, and the sign said to clash with it is the Dragon, six places away in the cycle. These pairings are folklore; any two people can grow a good friendship with patience and care.
A practice for the Dog
Loyalty is love for the people close to us. Metta practice gently widens that circle until it includes everyone.
Your loyal heart, widened: "May all beings be happy." Try metta meditation.
Want to check your animal from your full birth date? Use the zodiac animal finder.