Chinese zodiac · 11 of 12
戌 The Dog
The Dog is the zodiac's loyal guardian. Its branch 戌 (Xū) falls in late autumn and the evening hours, when the day's work is done and the household settles in. Dogs are honest, protective and devoted to the people they love.
- Branch
- 戌 Xū
- Fixed element
- Earth
- Polarity
- Yang
- Direction
- West-northwest (WNW)
- Hours
- 7 – 9 pm
- Solar month starts
- about 8 Oct (Cold Dew)
Dog years and their elements
Each Dog year also carries one of the five elements, so a Dog born in 1984 (Wood) differs from one born in 1996 (Fire). The year changes at Li Chun, the Start of Spring, not on Chinese New Year. If you were born in January or early February, check the start date below.
| Year | Pillar | Starts (Li Chun) | Ends before |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | 甲戌 Yang Wood Dog | 4 Feb 1934 | 5 Feb 1935 |
| 1946 | 丙戌 Yang Fire Dog | 4 Feb 1946 | 5 Feb 1947 |
| 1958 | 戊戌 Yang Earth Dog | 4 Feb 1958 | 4 Feb 1959 |
| 1970 | 庚戌 Yang Metal Dog | 4 Feb 1970 | 4 Feb 1971 |
| 1982 | 壬戌 Yang Water Dog | 4 Feb 1982 | 4 Feb 1983 |
| 1994 | 甲戌 Yang Wood Dog | 4 Feb 1994 | 4 Feb 1995 |
| 2006 | 丙戌 Yang Fire Dog | 4 Feb 2006 | 4 Feb 2007 |
| 2018 | 戊戌 Yang Earth Dog | 4 Feb 2018 | 4 Feb 2019 |
| 2030 | 庚戌 Yang Metal Dog | 4 Feb 2030 | 4 Feb 2031 |
Dog personality
These are the traits tradition associates with the Dog. Your full BaZi chart, especially your Day Master, shapes you more than your year animal alone.
- Loyal, honest and fair
- Protective of family and friends
- Responsible and reliable
- A strong sense of right and wrong
Watch out for: Dogs can worry and expect the worst. They may be stubborn about principles and slow to forgive.
Dog at work
Dogs are drawn to fair, protective work: law, nursing, teaching, social causes and community services. These are traditional associations; your Day Master and the rest of your chart matter more.
Dog compatibility
The Rabbit is the Dog's six-harmony partner; the Tiger and Horse complete its three-harmony trio. The Dragon is its opposite, so Dog–Dragon pairings need respect for each other's style.
| Relationship | Sign | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Six harmony (六合) | Rabbit | The closest natural match; easy teamwork. |
| Three harmony (三合) | Tiger and Horse | Allies who share goals and energy. |
| Clash (六冲) | Dragon | Opposite sign; needs patience and clear talk. |
| Harm (六害) | Rooster | Prone to small misunderstandings. |
Feng shui tips for the Dog
The Dog is Earth with hidden Metal and Fire. Earth tones and sturdy furniture suit it. Its direction is West-northwest. Dogs feel safe with a solid front door, good locks and a welcoming entrance, so give that area attention.
Your year animal gives general guidance. For directions that fit you personally, find your Kua Number; it is based on your birth year and gender and gives four favourable and four unfavourable directions.
The Dog in 2026 and 2027
The Fire Horse year is in the Dog's three-harmony group (寅午戌), so the Dog finds support and allies in 2026. It is a good year for teamwork and community projects.
In 2027 (Fire Goat) your sign meets the year in a destruction pairing; keep plans flexible.
Clash, harm and harmony pairings follow fixed traditional rules. They describe tendencies to be aware of, not fixed outcomes.