How Can Canine 5 Element Personality Types Help Your Dog?
What is a Dog’s 5-Element Personality Type and Why Does It Matter?
The Constitution or Personality 5-Element Type that best fits your dog helps predict strengths & weaknesses and disease your pet may be susceptible to. The 5-Element System helps you understand your pet’s personality, choose a companion pet, or prepare your pet for Seasonal Weather changes.
The modern practice of Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine (TCVM) recognizes 5 Elements based on the Daoist (naturalistic) roots of the practice. The 5 Elements are Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal and Water.
“What about air?” you ask, especially if you have read The Four Agreements. Air = Wind is a disease-causing energy in TCVM.
“In TCVM, there are 6 pathogens. Six disease-causing entities. They are Hot, Cold, Dry, Damp, Summer Heat (think heat stroke), and Wind. These 6 can knock the body off its regulating balance and cause symptoms we recognize as disease patterns,” says Doc Truli.
What are the Dog 5-Element Types?
WOOD – The General
Strengths: decisive, assertive, bossy, strong, impulsive, intolerant, athletic stamina, “winners”
Struggles: anger easily (may bite), red eyes, liver problems, torn ligaments, ear, anal sac, foot disease
What usually reveals WOOD character: competitiveness, bossiness
Watch out: SPRING seizures, allergies, itchiness
Companion Match: will invigorate a FIRE, prod an EARTH to more action, exhaust a WATER
Oscar is a classic Wood. Will fight first, ask questions later, Excels at nose-work. Strong, stubborn, must have his own way. Green is the color associated with the Wood element. Of course, there are no naturally green dogs- the 5-Element types can be any color fur. They often are representative of the Element. Can you see Oscar’s pink acupuncture needles?
FIRE – The Emperor
Charms: lively, communicative, center of attention, very friendly, affectionate, sensitive
Challenges: separation anxiety, panic, heart disease, restless, insanity, craziness
What usually reveals FIRE character: kisses you past all reason, photobomber
Watch out: SUMMER skin infections, thunderstorm phobia, heat stroke
Companion Match: will nourish an EARTH, hone a METAL, frustrate a WOOD
Sailor is a classic Fire Type. Hyper, happy, kisses up your nose. Photobombs expertly.
Fire Personality photobombs the rainbow sock drawer picture. Yellow or Red are the colors associated with the Fire Element.
EARTH – The Mother
Delights: laid back, friendly, sweet, easy to please, tolerant
Detriments: worries, obesity, weak limbs, digestion issues
What usually reveals EARTH character: lets anyone do anything to them, never angers or bites
Watch out: Late Summer HARVEST inflammatory bowel disease, organ prolapse, obesity, hypothyroidism
Companion Match: will support a METAL, calm a WATER, withstand excess FIRE
Earth Personality Dogs – at their best – know how to enjoy a good meal. And a pillow. Orange or Brown are the colors associated with the Earth Element.
Earth Element dogs can be very, very tolerant.
METAL – Prime Minister
Focus: aloof, independent, organized, quiet, confident & consistent
Faults: nasal congestion, lung disease, asthma, constipation
What usually reveals METAL character: insists precisely when it is mealtime or bedtime
Watch out: FALL bronchitis & asthma
Companion Match: will intrigue a WATER, limit a WOOD, appreciate an EARTH
Symmetrical body, beautiful hair coat, asocial Metal Element Shetland Sheepdog. White or gray are the colors associated with the Metal Element.
WATER – Philosopher
Positives: quiet, solitary, hesitant, observant, analytical, skillful strategizer
Peaves: Fearful (may bite), shy, kidney & bladder problems, arthritis & disc disease
What usually reveals WATER character: fear biter if stressed by new, sudden situation
Companion Match: will root a WOOD, calm a FIRE, co-exist with a METAL
Doc Truli’s Water Personality German Shepherd contemplates the lake, while mostly ignoring yours Truli, the photographer. Black is the color representing the Water Element.
Doc Truli is completing a Master’s degree in Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine with a research focus on the Canine 5 Element Personality types. Keep an eye out for her publication of the results in 2019.
“Thank you to my wonderful clients who donated their time to complete the Canine 5-Element Personality Survey, ” says Dr Truli.
