Year of the Dog狗年 gǒu nián · the eleventh animal of the Chinese zodiac
Quick facts
- Position
- 11 of 12
- Zodiac name
- 狗 gǒu - Dog
- “Year of the Dog”
- 狗年 gǒu nián
- Earthly Branch
- 戌 xū
- Hours of the day
- 7 pm – 9 pm
- Yin or yang
- Yang
- Next Dog year
- 2030 (3 February 2030 - 22 January 2031)
Year of the Dog years and dates
Each zodiac year starts at Chinese New Year and ends the day before the next one. If you were born in January or February, check the dates below or use the Chinese Zodiac Calculator.
| Year | Starts | Ends | Element |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 10 Feb 1910 | 29 Jan 1911 | Metal |
| 1922 | 28 Jan 1922 | 15 Feb 1923 | Water |
| 1934 | 14 Feb 1934 | 3 Feb 1935 | Wood |
| 1946 | 2 Feb 1946 | 21 Jan 1947 | Fire |
| 1958 | 18 Feb 1958 | 7 Feb 1959 | Earth |
| 1970 | 6 Feb 1970 | 26 Jan 1971 | Metal |
| 1982 | 25 Jan 1982 | 12 Feb 1983 | Water |
| 1994 | 10 Feb 1994 | 30 Jan 1995 | Wood |
| 2006 | 29 Jan 2006 | 17 Feb 2007 | Fire |
| 2018 | 16 Feb 2018 | 4 Feb 2019 | Earth |
| 2030 | 3 Feb 2030 | 22 Jan 2031 | Metal |
| 2042 | 22 Jan 2042 | 9 Feb 2043 | Water |
How to say Year of the Dog in Chinese
To give your own sign, say 我属 (wǒ shǔ, “I belong to”) plus the animal. To ask someone else, say 你属什么？ (nǐ shǔ shénme?).
Dog personality: what the sign stands for
People born in a Year of the Dog are traditionally described as loyal, honest and protective, with a strong sense of fairness.
Said to be
- loyal
- honest
- protective
- fair-minded
Said to watch out for
- anxious
- stubborn
These are traditional beliefs, shared for fun and for cultural background. They are not predictions.
The Dog in the Great Race
The Dog was one of the best swimmers in the Great Race, but it could not resist playing in the water and having a bath. It arrived eleventh.
The Dog in Chinese culture
A dog's bark is written 汪汪 (wāngwāng) in Chinese, which sounds like 旺旺 (wàngwàng), “prosperous.” A dog arriving at your door is therefore a sign that money is on its way, and 旺旺 is a popular New Year greeting in Dog years.
Be careful with idioms: most Chinese sayings about dogs are insults, even though dogs are loved as pets.
Chinese idioms with 狗
狗急跳墙
gǒu jí tiào qiáng
"a cornered dog will jump over the wall"
A desperate person will do anything.
狐朋狗友
hú péng gǒu yǒu
"fox friends and dog friends"
Bad company; friends who lead you astray.
Dog compatibility in tradition
Traditional matchmaking groups the twelve animals by their Earthly Branches. These pairings are folk tradition, not science. To check any two signs, use the Chinese Zodiac Compatibility chart.
Your own zodiac year is called 本命年 (běnmìngnián). Tradition says it can bring bad luck, so people wear something red for protection.
The other zodiac animals
Find your animal with the Chinese Zodiac CalculatorFrequently asked questions
What years are the Year of the Dog?
Recent and coming Years of the Dog are 1994, 2006, 2018, 2030, 2042. Each one starts at Chinese New Year, so January and early February birthdays usually belong to the year before.
When is the next Year of the Dog?
The next Year of the Dog runs from 3 February 2030 to 22 January 2031.
How do you say Year of the Dog in Chinese?
It is 狗年 (gǒu nián). To say you were born in that year, say 我属狗 (wǒ shǔ gǒu).