Year of the Dog

Year of the Dog

Dog people are noteworthy for their loyalty and honesty. They stick to their principles of fairness and justice and have great, creative, problem-solving skills. As friends and lovers, they are very trustworthy and make great listeners, and these qualities should be appreciated instead of taken for granted or the Dog may feel slighted or disrespected. They have a profound need for a good, long-lasting relationship, making them loyal for life especially when feel they have found their perfect mate. Dogs are easily liked for their willingness to help others over themselves. They are very protective of loved ones and will defend them even at great personal sacrifice to themselves and their own well-being. They are true to their word and consistently honor their promises.

The Story of the Dog

The next creature to arrive was another surprise to the Emperor. The Dog finally bounded across the finish line some time after the Rooster and into eleventh place, even though he was the best swimmer of the group and was anticipated to finish second or third behind the flying Dragon, strong Ox, and fast Horse. However, while crossing the river, he started to play in the water and was having so much fun that he forgot about the race until he saw the raft carrying the Sheep, Monkey, and Rooster.

Years and types

There are five elements that give the Dog specific characteristics and personality traits beyond its symbol of wealth. The most recent years of the Dog include 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982 1994, 2006, 2018. After 2019, the next two years we will be 2030 and 2042.

Types Years of Birth Characteristics and Personality Traits
Wood Dog 1934, 1994 Independent, creative, protective.
Fire Dog 1946, 2006 Kind-hearted, patient, helpful.
Earth Dog 1958, 2018 Ambitious, hard-worker, friendly
Metal Dog 1970, 2030 Loyal, intuitive, honorable.
Water Dog 1982, 2042 Active, charming, sociable, popular.

Famous people born in the year of the Dog

In Western Countries

Thomas Edison (born Feb 11, 1847) was an American inventor and businessman, who is described as America’s greatest inventor. Winston Churchill (born Nov 30, 1875) was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1940 to 1945, army officer, and writer. The “King of Pop”, Michael Jackson (born Aug 29, 1958). Other celebrities born in the year of the dog include popular Hollywood director Steven Spielberg (born Dec 18, 1946), British model, actress, and business woman Naomi Campbell (born May 22, 1970), the UK’s Prince William’s wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (born Jan 9, 1982), and Canadian singer-songwriter Justin Bieber (born Mar 1, 1994).

In China

Emperor Huizong of Song (born June 7, 1082), aka Zhao Ji, was the eighth emperor of the Song dynasty in China. He was also a very well-known calligrapher. He had great artistic talent in art, calligraphy, music, and he invented the Slender Gold style of calligraphy.

Zhou Enlai (born Mar 5, 1898) was the first Premier of the People’s Republic of China. Zhou served under Chairman Mao Zedong and was instrumental in the Communist Party’s rise to power, and later in consolidating its control, forming foreign policy, and developing the Chinese economy.

Song Mei-ling (born Mar 5, 1898) was a Chinese political figure who was First Lady of the Republic of China, the wife of President Chiang Kai-shek.

Feng Zikai (born Nov 9, 1898) was an influential and pioneering Chinese painter, essayist, and Buddhist of twentieth century China.

Qian Zhongshu (born Nov 21, 1910) was a Chinese literary scholar and writer, known for his wit and knowledge. He is best known for his satirical novel “Fortress Besieged”.

Hua Luogeng (born Nov 12, 1910) was a Chinese mathematician and politician famous for his important contributions to number theory and for his role as the leader of mathematics research and education in the People’s Republic of China.

Ruan Lingyu (born Apr, 1910), also known by her English name Lily Yuen, was a Chinese silent film actress who became one of the most prominent Chinese film stars of the 1930s.

Wong Kar-wai (born July 17, 1958) is a Hong Kong filmmaker. Internationally renowned as an major contributor to the Hong Kong Second Wave, his unique and highly stylized work includes “As Tears Go By” (1990), “Fallen Angels” (1995), “In the Mood for Love” (2000), “2046” (2004), and “The Grandmaster” (2013).

Hu Ge (born Sept 20, 1982) is one of China’s most popular actors and singers. Hu gained widespread acclaim with his roles as Mei Changsu in the wuxia drama “Nirvana in Fire”, for which he received the Best Actor award at the 22nd Magnolia and Golden Eagle awards.

Du Juan (born Sept 15, 1982) is a Chinese fashion model, film actress, and former ballet dancer. She has been touted as the world’s first international Chinese supermodel.

Personality Traits and Character

Positive personality traits

a smile dog

Valiant, giving, playful, lively, prudent, sincere, uncomplicated, loyal, honest, clever, courageous, trustworthy, responsible, friendly, faithful.
People born under the Dog zodiac sign are very friendly, giving, and incredibly helpful – they find it natural to sacrifice everything they have for the sake of someone else's happiness. Dogs are responsible, reliable, trustworthy, moral, and practical. They are beloved for their strong sense of devotion and loyalty. Dogs are so selfless and protective that they are willing to sacrifice their own well-being to protect their loved ones and help those in need. Dogs are easy-going and rarely hold a grudge. However, to keep a Dog as a close friend, the Dog must be fully convinced that you are worthy of their friendship and being dishonest, irresponsible, or manipulative will usually cause a Dog to lose all respect. Lucky is the person who is loved by a Dog, because he or she will likely be loved forever. Dogs have the ability to save themselves in almost any situation by using their natural smarts and instincts. They will accept leadership from a true leader as long as that leader doesn’t go against the Dog’s system of morality. Dogs are not always leaders themselves but will be chosen as the right-hand of leaders who can count on them to save the day. Dogs are great organizers and have a knack for managing chaotic situations with their logical approach and commitment to fairness and justice. The Dog’s devotion to others is admirable, but don’t overlook the Dog’s own needs.

Negative personality traits

a cute dog

Sensitive, unsatisfied, skeptical, negative, emotional, easily distracted, stubborn, conservative, self-conscious.
Dogs can be temperamental and pessimistic, especially about their own capabilities. This is often a result of low self-esteem. Some have the tendency to be impatient and critical of people, or certain situations. Many Dogs are seen as cold or detached, but this can be a misinterpretation of when they are simply on guard and alert, and not so concerned with the social aspect of an event. They also may simply not know how to open up emotionally to other people – especially strangers. Anxious and short-tempered at times, don’t ever attack a Dog’s children, spouse, or home as their kind and gentle nature can quickly turn into a ferocious and vicious beast. Sometimes, Dogs have trouble controlling their emotions and can over react to perceived threats.

Exclusive Travel Destinations for the Dog

The Dog is the symbol of loyalty and honesty. You may be a homebody but love being active outside. A countryside touring perhaps makes you feel a little more at home and at ease. The beauty of Guilin is world famous, and you can enjoy a very easy-going pace for your trip.If you are interested, please check the Exclusive Travel Destinations for Chinese 12 Zodiac to know more details.

Love and Compatibility

Dogs are trustworthy and reliable, but they often have difficulty trusting others. When making friends, Dogs will take their time to get to know people and build trust, because they're very cautious and conservative. However, once they become friends with someone, they will be loyal and go out of their way to help. When it comes to love and relationships, Dogs often have a tough time and find it difficult to fall in love. They generally don’t date many people and often end up starting romantic relationships with friends. Once they do fall in love, they will be faithful, generous, caring, and loving partners who will do anything to make their loved ones happy. Partners will need to be aware of the Dog’s numerous insecurities and be patient as the Dog works to overcome them.

For Men

The Dog man is often sensitive and proud. A Dog man will get his feelings hurt if someone laughs at him or otherwise does something disrespectful and they may withdraw for a while. Most Dog men tend not to like too much freedom as they interpret that as a lack of caring. Instead, most prefer that someone else leads with softness and tenderness and will love you forever for the guidance you give. He will only accept a partner who is committed to the truth and leading a moral life. His loyalty is legendary and in fact, if for some reason the relationship doesn’t work out, it can be nearly impossible for a Dog man to recant their feelings which can cause long term problems for his ex-partner.

For Women

lovers

Dog women can be hard to catch and tend to seem distant even when they may actually be dreaming of passionate love with someone. Dog women therefore generally tend to be attracted to strong personalities who aren’t afraid to make their romantic intentions clear and confidently pursue her. When a Dog woman realizes she is in love, she may not show this all at once and instead reveal her feelings slowly and discreetly, until she is sure about the relationship. If you love a Dog woman, you’ll learn that she doesn’t trust many people but when she does, it’s forever. When a Dog becomes a mom, her involvement in the lives of, and care for, her children will be so grand, that it can border on obsessive. A Dog’s children are the best in the world and can’t do any wrong in her eyes. Her devotion to her children and spouse will be unrivaled.

Best Matches: Rabbit, Tiger, Horse

1. Dog and Rabbit

The Dog and the Rabbit don't share many personality traits, but they complement each other with their differences. The Rabbit is accepting and loving and will understand and cope with the anxieties and insecurities of the loyal Dog. The Dog will offer security and protection to the Rabbit, while the latter will bring much-needed positivity to the Dog's life.

2. Dog and Tiger

The Dog and the Tiger have nearly opposite personality traits that complement each other well. The Tiger is assertive, confident, and a strong leader which the Dog seeks and the Dog feels comfortable and protected when with the Tiger. The Dog is loyal, supportive, and wonderful with children and family which the Tiger seeks. The Tiger is also usually more optimistic than the Dog and can help the Dog see the positive side of life, while the often playful Dog can also help the ambitious, dedicated Tiger have more fun.

3. Dog and Horse

The Dog and the Horse are hard-working, understanding, and energetic individuals. The Dog is generous and willing to sacrifice their own dreams and desires for the sake of their loved ones, which the adventurous Horse will greatly appreciate. Thus the Horse’s unpredictability and restlessness will not be terribly concerning for the faithful Dog. In return, the Horse will ensure that their Dog partner remains happy and experiences new, wonderful aspects of life.

Worst Matches: Dragon, Ox, Sheep

1. Dog and Dragon

The Dog and the Dragon are not very compatible. The energetic Dragon loves traveling and excitement, while the Dog prefers to stay close to home and stick to a routine. The Dragon is attracted to material success and power, while the hard-working and ethical Dog is unable to understand this quest for power. The Dog is often too docile for the more assertive Dragon who instead seeks someone who can keep up with them.

2. Dog and Ox

Both the Dog and the Ox can be stubborn in their own ways and this will harm their relationship. The Dog's emotional insecurity can create problems by constantly needing reassurance from their partner which will be too burdensome and seemingly unnecessary by the Ox. Neither are strong leaders and the Dog may feel uncomfortable not having a clear direction.

3. Dog and Sheep

The Dog and the Sheep have low chances of romantic compatibility. Both signs are somewhat emotionally insecure and need consistent love and support by their loved ones. Both can be somewhat sensitive and if the Dog’s mood changes too frequently, this will not be taken well by the Sheep who prefers predictability and calmness. Both signs are fairly docile meaning neither will want to take the lead, leaving both looking for direction and unable to make decisions.

Lucky and Unlucky Things

Lucky Unlucky
1. Numbers Three, four and nine One, six and seven
2. Colors Green, red and purple Blue, white and gold
3. Flowers Rose, Oncidium Orchids, Cymbidium Orchids No unlucky flowers
4. Directions East, southeast and south No unlucky directions
5. Element Earth No unlucky element
6. Season Autumn No unlucky season
7. Gemstone Diamond No unlucky gemstone

Career and Health Outlook

Career

various of careers

Dogs are kind, hardworking, and helpful, so their coworkers can always count on them. Dogs are loyal, realistic, modest, and make excellent team members who will put their heart and soul into their tasks and do anything to keep the team unified and happy. They're also honest and ethical - they earn their success in life by hard work, sincerity, and determination. When it comes to money, Dogs usually need good advisors to protect them financially. Without a long-term plan, their tendency is to spend a bit too freely thereby jeopardizing their financial security. Finances can worry them if feel they don’t have enough to adequately take care of their needs.
Good career choices include: counselor, professor, scientist, police officer, interior designer, nurse, judge, politician, clerk, priest, teacher, social worker.

Health

Dogs are lively individuals who tend to stay fairly happy. Many Dogs are active in sports, so their health is good, and they are fairly resistant to diseases. However, Dogs tend to work harder than the other Chinese signs, so they should ensure they get plenty of rest in addition to regular physical activity and eating a healthy diet. They don’t usually suffer from stress related illnesses, but sometimes overly rely on a stronger partner or family member to push them to keep up with their health care.

a dog with ink painting

Dog Horoscope in 2024

2024 Overall: 4/5 stars

In 2024, remember to maintain equanimity, avoid impatience, and handle challenges with a calm demeanor to foster prosperity with a gentle approach.

Career: 4/5 stars

Expect numerous challenges in 2024, possibly being tasked with demanding work assignments. However, adversity is the best source of experience, and you stand to gain a sense of achievement. These experiences are likely to lay the groundwork for future career success, leading to increased wealth.

Wealth: 4/5 stars

2024 presents average wealth prospects. Consider creating a financial plan to avoid conflicts over money, as a harmonious approach cultivates financial prosperity.

Love: 4/5 stars

In relationships, the demands of a busy career might cause the Dog to unintentionally neglect other aspects of life. It's crucial to communicate with family and partners, particularly regarding parent-child relationships.

Health: 4/5 stars

For health in 2024, Dogs should transform stress into motivation, engage in regular exercise to boost physical fitness, and build up energy to face challenges with vigor.

By Eric M. Meyer
Senior Editor
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