General Characteristics of a Dog

The Dog is the most likeable of the signs being very amiable and extremely accommodating to others’ needs. He finds it easy and natural to be giving and helpful – altruism is an inherent part of who he is and all that he does.

Driven only by goodness, the righteous Dog will put his all into righting wrongs and helping to relieve the suffering of others. He himself has little personal ambition – he doesn’t have any particular desire to jostle for power, status nor wealth, which makes it all the easier for him to sacrifice any and everything he has for the sake of someone else’s happiness. They are at their best playing supportive roles. He is truly man’s best friend and is in his strongest element when he is able to help someone.

The Dog is also very grounded and realistic, with his two feet firmly on the ground. He is reliable, trustworthy and committed and you can be sure of his loyalty and friendship until the very end.

Strengths

Stalwart and dependable, the Dog is most beloved for his strong sense of loyalty and devotion – you can count on him to be there for you to the end of your days. He is also highly ethical and won’t stand for injustice – the kind-hearted Dog will do everything in his might to stand up for the underdog and to protect his loved ones. Even if he doesn’t know you that well, he will always champion a cause to right a wrong and help those truly in need.

This is one of the most selfless and altruistic signs who easily puts the needs of others before himself. For others, he will work hard and steadily, he will go all out of his way to help and defend them, he will sit for hours and let you cry on his shoulder. He is generally easy-going in dealing with people and even if slighted, is not one to hold a grudge nor want to extract revenge.

He is also one of the most reliable signs – once he’s promised something, you can be sure he will honour his word. He is a good, stable worker and though he may not produce the most astonishing kind of results, his steadiness is a much respected, lifelong quality. The Dog is also very tough, with a high threshold for pain and hardship, particularly if it is for others’ benefit.

Weaknesses

Much as he is a hugely loyal friend, the Dog must first be fully convinced that you are worth being a friend to. It will take some convincing to get him fully and strongly on your side. He doesn’t allow for in-betweens – you’re either his friend or you’re not and it’ll be hard to change his mind about either once he’s made up his mind. He is also a stickler for tradition and convention – it is difficult to get him to accept unconventional new ideas.

The Dog can have the tendency to be moody and pessimistic, especially about himself and his own capabilities. Because he has difficulty dealing with his emotions and expressing himself in a constructive way, he can tend to become moody, impatient and snappy. Often, a Dog may be regarded as cold to someone he’s not close to, but he’s actually just on guard and not quite sure how to open himself emotionally to others.

The Dog is also known for being critical and finds himself instinctively drawn towards negative patterns of thinking. He can be critical of both people and situations, with the pessimistic tendency to always anticipate worst-case scenarios. More often than not, his worries are just self-imposed burdens and not nearly as bad as he imagines them to be.

Career and Working Life

The Dog is always helpful and always ready to step forward to work. He’d make an excellent member of a team, willing to pitch in and help wherever he can without demanding any recognition or attention. His altruistic nature and loyalty will see him through any task and look out for his teammates too – he’ll be more than happy to step forward to help a colleague if it will lessen his burden.

He is also grounded and realistic. While some may find this boring and unstimulating, he will be the one the team can always depend on to keep the most level head and keep the team unified and happy. He is the perfect pacifist. You can count on the Dog to be the most honest worker too. He’ll never cut corners or try to shortchange his clients; he’s too ethical for that. He earns his success by sheer conscientious hard work, sincerity and determination.

Love and Relationships

This man’s best friend is a conundrum – though he is among the most trustworthy and reliable of friends, he himself has trouble trusting others. It will take him a long way to open up and accept someone completely, though when he eventually does, you know you’ll have a loving partner forever. Once in a relationship, they have little problems because they are so giving and will bend over backwards for the happiness and wellbeing of their partner. A Dog seems to live by the rule that if his loved ones are happy, he is happy, which makes for harmony all around.

The only aspect of a Dog which will have a negative impact on his relationship is his worrying, insecurities and general pessimism. This might weight heavy on his partner and cause tensions if the partner isn’t able or willing to constantly reassure him and boost his confidence.

Finance

Not inclined to an extravagant lifestyle, the Dog takes a practical approach to everything, including finances. He goes about with his head squarely on his shoulders and will not spend unnecessarily.

This does not mean the Dog is stingy, he’s just prudent about the way he spends and will get the best out of every purchase. He won’t understand the need for things like impulse buys or extravagant, excessive spending.

Social life

The Dog will categorise you either as a friend or a foe. There is none of that uncertain in-between of “acquaintances” or “associates”. If you’re not his friend, he will always be wary of you. Like a cautious, snarling guard dog, he’ll subject you to a lifetime of criticism and show you his bad tempers. If you’re lucky enough to be his friend, you’ll be in for life and he will do everything he can to protect his friends.

Socially, the Dog will probably not be the life of the party. If life were a movie, he’d be the supporting actor; in sport he’d be the cheerleader. He’ll be the best audience for his more outgoing friends – he’ll listen attentively as you tell your stories, laugh at all your jokes and be the peace-making, unifying factor in any group of friends.

Life Lessons

Life would be happier for the Dog if he learnt to be more tolerant of others and forgiving of their misdemeanors. He should try to practise looking for the good in others and focusing on their strengths, rather than dwell on their faults and harp on the wrongs they have done.

It would also to be his advantage if he were less obstinate and more open to embracing new ideas instead of holding on so fast to older, traditional ways of thinking. In general the Dog could do with a lot of lightening up and letting go! He can be overly serious and anxious, worrying about outcomes that may never happen. This is the key point – if he realizes that he cannot control every situation exactly as he wants it, he will be able to live more freely.

COMPATIBILITY

Who the Dog will snuggle up to

Actually, because the Dog will usually give in to others and finds it natural and easy to sacrifice his own needs for others, it is relatively easier for him to get along with almost every other animal.

The Dog is in the same affinity trio as the Tiger and Horse. A spirited and noble-thinking group, they work exceptionally well together to fight for causes they believe in and champion the underdog. Individually, the Dog will indulge the Tiger’s headstrong tendencies, while the Tiger appreciates the firm grounding that the Dog insists on. While the Horse and Dog have contrasting modes of working, with the former being very impulsive and the latter very grounded, they are both very amiable, people persons and will be able to accommodate each other.

Other signs known for their friendliness and altruistic dispositions – such as the Rabbit and Boar – will also get along well with the Dog. They will always know how to work with each other gently and amicably, making full use of each other’s skills and talents without either side being demanding or imposing.

The Dog also finds a good friend in the Snake, whose ambition and drive he will like. At the same time, the normally cautious, untrusting Snake appreciates the Dog’s loyalty, propensity for goodness and honesty.

Who the Dog will bite

The Dog’s most direct opponent is the Dragon, whose powerful nature is perhaps a little too overwhelming for him.

He will also be at odds with the Ox. Both are very serious personalities and the Dog’s naturally defensive instincts will feel challenged by the Ox’s unmoving, unbending firmness. Similarly, the worrisome nature of both Sheep and Dog will be a cause for conflict between the two. Neither will be able to assure the other and their insecurities will only rub each other up the wrong way.

The Rooster, too loud and eccentric for the grounded Dog, will also prove a difficult match for him. He won’t be able to understand the extravagance of the Rooster.

How to work well with a Dog

Understand that the Dog is a grounded, solid character who values goodness and honesty above all. Never try underhanded tricks with the Dog nor try to evade the correct way of doing things – he will never stand for deception nor for your belittling of others.

You must also realise that it takes a lot for the Dog to be convinced and want to accept you as a friend. To truly befriend a Dog however, is quite simple – you just need to be honest, upfront, consistent and kind. Keep your promises and support him by the causes that he’s fighting for (you can rest assured they are always good).

The worrying Dog also needs quite a lot of reassurance so repay his lifetime of kindness to you by helping to keep his worries at bay and doing all you can to allay his fears.

5 Positive and Negative Traits

Famous Dogs

Madonna, Prince, Michael Jackson, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, Andre Agassi, Cher, Justin Bieber, Jennifer Lopez, Chou En-Lai, Prince William, Zsa Zsa Gabor, Ava Gardner, Donald Trump, Liza Minelli, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardot, Mother Theresa, Sir Winston Churchill, Herbert Hoover, Elvis Presley, Chian Ching-Kuo, Benjamin Franklin

Other Lunar Animal Signs

1. I am the Rat

2. I am the Ox

3. I am the Tiger

4. I am the Rabbit

5. I am the Dragon

6. I am the Snake

7. I am the Horse

8. I am the Sheep

9. I am the Monkey

10. I am the Rooster

11. I am the Pig

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