The Dog Sign of the Chinese Zodiac

Essentially Dogs are honest and noble people. They are champions of justice and see things in black and white. Dogs have lively minds and quick tongues. Dogs are cynics as well as idealists with high moral standards but they are full of doubts and anxieties. Dogs are linked with the element Metal, a very strong element. In Dogs metal expresses itself in their strong minded, idealistic traits. Dogs are not personally ambitious they are more concerned with the underprivileged.

The Male Dog
A male Dog will be a protective father, is loyal to friends and family and makes a good ally. He can be unnecessarily defensive and is slow to make close friends. He is quick to criticize others, prone to depression and can be very stubborn. He has an ironic sense of humor and loves to gossip.

The Female Dog
A female Dog has a very black sense of humor and is more sociable than the male. She is gifted and creative but does not persevere. She will not compromise and is impatient and will criticize those who do not have her high standards. She is attractive and likes conversation.

The Dog in Love

Dogs are easy people to love. They are warm kind and generous however they are not quick to fall in love themselves. They are suspicious and distrustful of people until they get to know them. Once in love a Dog will want to share everything with their partner and will be affectionate and tender. In return the Dog expects their partner to be everything to them, total commitment. Dogs are not always happy in love because the have such high expectations. Although they are stable characters themselves they need constant reassuring. A Dogs anxiety makes it difficult for their partner to feel secure with them.

The Dog and Sex
Dogs are sensual and passionate but they value companionship and trust above physical intimacy. Dogs are anxious for approval and will try to please their lover. They are faithful by nature and know how to resist temptation. A Dog will be destroyed by the infidelity of a partner and they can poison a relationship with unfounded suspicions.

The Five Types of Dogs

The Metal Dog: 1910, 1970
Dignified and principled, this confident canine is what the Tibetan’s call the “Iron Dog”- rightly so as this formidable character has an unbendable will and unquestionable loyalty. When decided on a cause he deems worthy, he faithfully pursues it with boldness and conviction, highly critical and on the lookout for any foul play or unfairness – things he despises with a passion. He has a tough mental-discipline, and when faced with obstacles, is able to exhibit a ruthlessness to obliterate anything that stands in his way.

The Water Dog: 1922, 1982
The element of Water has a calming effect on this intuitive Dog, creating a calmer, easy going and liberal character. Less forthright and disciplined than her fellow canines, she tends to over-indulge herself and her loved ones, and would benefit from exhibiting a little more control in her finances as well. She does have a persuasive and attractive way about her however, and will be renowned for her fair judgment and striking beauty.

The Wood Dog: 1934, 1994
A country Gent (or Lady) at heart, this refined and honest Dog is happiest when surrounded by the gentle beauty of nature, and his home will often be decorated with beautiful things – comfortable and always welcoming. Warm-hearted, hard working and always seeking to improve himself, he is talented at communicating with people of all walks of life, using his common sense and sincerity to see him through.

The Fire Dog: 1946, 2006
This magnetic and drop-dead attractive Dog is the life of a party, immensely popular and idealistic. Not one to pass on a new adventure, he will rebel when hindered or attacked, and unhesitatingly carry out any threats he makes. Courageous and expressive, this go-getter Dog has high ideals and the tenacity to forge a successful career, but would benefit from seeking the advice of an older mentor. Luckily, the Dog within him still manages to keep him humble and grounded despite his numerous achievements.

The Earth Dog: 1958
Dignified, slow-moving and methodical, this realistic Dog is a man of integrity. He speaks straight from his heart with astounding sincerity, and is sought after for his sensible, honest and fair counsel. Talented and astute with his finances, this moral Dog will go far in his career, never letting defeat or glory go to his head. He can be stubborn though, and demand that others exhibit the same dedication and principled attitudes he loyally lives by.

Prospects for the Dog in Different Years

Lucky years for the Dog are the years of the Rat, the Rabbit, the Snake, and the Horse. Happy events, prosperity, expansion and achievements are in the spotlight, and he will be at the peak of his luck especially in the Horse year.

The years of the Tiger, Monkey, the Dog and the Pig are moderately happy, with no serious disputes at home, and enough celebrations to keep him going. Achievements and progress are still likely, but some delays and additional expenses will occur.

The years of the Goat and the Rooster are a mixed time for him, as these years will offer some problems and worries which luckily he will be able to overcome and even prevent if he remains patient and careful.

Trying times come in the years of the Dragon and the Ox. Uncertainties and misunderstandings are likely, and the Dog will often find himself in the midst of battle, weakened by the opponent. These are years where the Dog must strive even harder, and avoid confrontations if possible.

Dog Sign Compatibility

Canine Friends
Doggies will pledge their undying loyalty to the Horse, the Tiger, Pig and Monkey, and will be wagging his tail gleefully when frolicking in the company of the Rat, the Ox, the Rabbit, the Snake and fellow Dogs.

Canine Foes
The unaffected Dog will find it impossible to bear the indulgent bleating of the Goat, and the flamboyant Dragon is often incensed when this sensible canine brings his grand designs down to earth with a thud. He also finds the egotistical and fanciful Rooster irritatingly full of fluff with not enough substance.

Celebrity Dogs

Dogs in the Arts & Science
Voltaire, Socrates, Jacques Cousteau, Victor Hugo, Norman Mailer, Robert Frost, O. Henry, Pierre Cardin

Showbiz Dogs
Gary Oldman, Dame Judi Dench, Sharon Stone, Sylvester Stallone, Jamie Lee Curtis, Rodney Dangerfield, Candice Bergman, Sally Field, Judy Garland, Shirley MacLaine, Brigitte Bardot, Donald Sutherland, David Niven, Blake Edwards, Charles Dance, Joseph Finnnes, Ava Gardner, Barry Humphries, Sophia Loren, Joanna Lumley, Jennifer Saunders, Shelley Winters, Sidney Pollack, David Suchet, Uma Thurman, Zsa Zsa Gabor

Musical Dogs
Elvis Presley, Madonna, Cher, Michael Jackson, David Bowie, Al Jolson, Mariah Carey, Kate Bush, Freddie Mercury, Claude Debussy, Jose Carreras, Victor Hugo, George Gershwin, Liza Minelli, the artist formally known as Prince, Linda Ronstadt, Barry Manilow, Jennifer Lopez

Political and Royal Dogs
George W. Bush & Laura Bush, Robin Cook, Jack Straw, Herbert Hoover, Winnie Mandela, Sir Winston Churchill, Lenin, Yitzhak Rabin, Bill Clinton, Prince William

Famous for other things
Donald Trump, John Wesley, Mother Theresa, Connie Chung, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Frankie Dettori, Gabriela Sabatini.