Dog Tattoo (domestic)

Could man’s best friend also become man’s best tattoo? Dog tattoo designs have been a favorite for generations. Just as dogs are one of today’s most faithful companions, it is no surprise that dog legends come to us from many cultures.

Ancient lore tells us that dogs accompanied Hectate (Greece), the Queen of the Underworld (Persia), the Mother Goddess (Celtic), and Angurboda the “Hag of the Iron Wood” (Northern Europe). In ancient Babylon, dogs were associated with fate. They were sacred animals to the goddess Gula, known as the “Great Doctoress,” who could cure or cause sickness.

As with the Persian story above, dogs (or dog-like creatures such as the jackal) are sometimes associated with the underworld. You have probably seen drawings of the dog-headed Annibus, who guarded the tombs of ancient Egypt. And who can forget the Greek guardian and spirit guide to the dead – the three-headed dog Cerberus (or his near cousin, Fluffy, from the Harry Potter series). From these associations, dogs were considered unclean in Judaic and Islamic traditions, but were ironically held in high regard by Zoroastrians.

Native Americans also held the dog in high regard. Dogs were a symbol of faith and reliability and, as such, were considered to be the guardian of secret areas and ancient knowledge.

Ancient China, however, wins the prize for the best dog lore. The ancient GOH or GOU (now a dog, but over the years also considered a wolf, coyote, or fox) was said to possess the most keen senses (e.g. sight, smell) in the Celestial Kingdom. But his constant need for affection angered the gods, who banished dog to the earth to seek comfort from humans. Still, the dog remains a key player in the Chinese Zodiac. He is the 11th sign (November) of the annual zodiac, and is the annual animal every 12 years (his last year was 2006). Dogs are a symbol of faithfulness, blind love, obedience, and protectiveness. Those who embody the dog spirit are sensitive and affectionate. They enjoy shelter but can not be cooped up. And they hate being patronized.

All legends aside, domestic dogs continue to be one of the favored pets on the planet – and therefore often become the motivation for tattoos. They say that, over time, dogs and their owners start to look alike and take on each other’s characteristics. A motivation for a dog tattoo would be to symbolize those qualities most related to a particular breed, e.g. collies are known for their intelligence (think “Lassie”), terriers for their bravery, retrievers for their loyalty, and Chihuahuas for their indomitable spirit.

Dog tattoos tend to appear in a few different forms. There are the cartoon dogs, e.g. military or team mascots, or those inspired by such copyrighted creatures as Snoopy and Scooby-Doo. There are the dog silhouettes, which allow people to do a solid black tattoo of their favorite puppy’s profile (but may also look too much like an “I heart my …” bumper sticker). And there are the photo-like images, where the dog is recreated in ink using a photograph as a guide. These latter types are often used in memorial tattoos, as dog-lovers seek to commemorate their lost canine in some permanent fashion – making this last group among the most meaningful and profound of all tattoo types.

Finally, some dog tattoos represent the occupation of the wearer, e.g. fireman get Dalmatian tattoos, skiers get St. Bernards, police officers get German Shepards, and members of the U.S. Marine Corps get a bulldog.

How much is that doggie tattoo in the window? Ask your local artist, and ink away.

For more information on Dog tattoos and Animal tattoos, see the resources listed on our Reference Page.

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