Water Dog Chinese Zodiac
水狗 shuǐ gǒu
A Water Dog was born in a Dog year ending in 2 or 3: 1922, 1982 and 2042. Water softens the Dog's guard. The Water Dog is described as loyal and understanding, a Dog that listens, mediates and is slower to take offense.
- Water
- Dog
- Yang
Water Dog at a Glance
- Years
- 1922, 1982 and 2042
- Year element
- Water 水 (years ending in 2 or 3)
- Dog's own element
- Earth
- Yin or Yang
- Yang
- Year names
- 壬戌
- Next Water Dog year
- 2042
The Water Dog, Loyal and Understanding
Dogs guard. The Water Dog, tradition says, listens first, a fair-minded mediator that is slower to take offense than the other Dogs.
The 1982 Water Dogs are Millennials turning 44 in 2026. The next Water Dog year is 2042.
Which Years Are Water Dog Years?
The most recent Water Dog year began on Jan 25, 1982 and ended on Feb 12, 1983; the next comes in 2042. Born in January or February? Compare your birthday with the Begins column.
| Year | Begins | Ends | Year name | Sound element | Age in 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1922 | Jan 28, 1922 | Feb 15, 1923 | 壬戌 | 大海水 | 103 or 104 |
| 1982 Chinese zodiac | Jan 25, 1982 | Feb 12, 1983 | 壬戌 | 大海水 | 43 or 44 |
| 2042 | The next cycle, beyond the dates on this site | ||||
The sound element (Na Yin) is a second element that the sexagenary year name carries, and it is shown in Chinese. Find any other year on the Chinese zodiac years chart.
Water Dog Strengths and Challenges
Strengths of the Water Dog
- Loyal
- Understanding
- Fair-minded
Challenges of the Water Dog
- Anxious
- Indecisive
- Absorbs others' moods
Water Dog in Love and at Work
In Love
Gentle and faithful, and a good listener.
At Work
A fit for counseling, social work, mediation and healthcare.
The Five Kinds of Dog
The Dog's own element is always Earth; the birth year adds the second. For the Water Dog, Earth restrains Water, so the Dog holds the year's element in check.
| Type | Years | With the Dog's Earth |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Dog Chinese zodiac | 1934, 1994, 2054 | Wood restrains Earth |
| Fire Dog Chinese zodiac | 1946, 2006, 2066 | Fire feeds Earth |
| Earth Dog Chinese zodiac | 1958, 2018, 2078 | Doubled |
| Metal Dog Chinese zodiac | 1910, 1970, 2030, 2090 | Earth feeds Metal |
| Water Dog | 1922, 1982, 2042 | Earth restrains Water |
Water Dog Compatibility
Compatibility follows the animal, not the element. Tradition favors the Tiger, Horse and Rabbit for the Dog, and the Dragon is its enemy sign.
2026, the Fire Horse Year: Supported
Link to the Horse: Trine partner (三合).
2027, the Fire Goat Year: Needs Care
Link to the Goat: Punishment (刑太岁), Break (破太岁).
Other Water Signs
All twelve animals have a Water year. Each is a different mix.
- Water Rat Chinese zodiac1972, 2032
- Water Ox Chinese zodiac1973, 2033
- Water Tiger Chinese zodiac1962, 2022
- Water Rabbit Chinese zodiac1963, 2023
- Water Dragon Chinese zodiac1952, 2012
- Water Snake Chinese zodiac1953, 2013
- Water Horse Chinese zodiac1942, 2002
- Water Goat Chinese zodiac1943, 2003
- Water Monkey Chinese zodiac1932, 1992
- Water Rooster Chinese zodiac1933, 1993
- Water Pig Chinese zodiac1923, 1983
Water Dog Chinese Zodiac FAQ
What is a Water Dog?
A Water Dog is someone born in a Dog year that ends in 2 or 3. Water Dog years include 1922, 1982 and 2042. Tradition describes the Water Dog as loyal, understanding and fair-minded.
What years are Water Dog years?
1922, 1982 and 2042. The 1982 year ran from Jan 25, 1982 to Feb 12, 1983.
Is the Dog a Water sign?
The Dog's own element is Earth, which never changes. Water is the element of the birth year, so a Water Dog carries both. The two are different things.
How old is a Water Dog?
The most recent Water Dog years are 1922 and 1982. In 2026 someone born in 1982 turns 44.
When is the next Water Dog year?
2042. Dog years return every 12 years and each element every 60.