85+ Admirable Dog Tattoo Ideas & Designs – For Men And Women (2019)
For a over 40,000 years, man have taken dogs as trusted and loyal companions and they are a far cry for the wild wolf origin. Up to now, no other animal have managed to capture mankind’s love and imagination like the creatures.
In many cultures around the world, individuals consider dogs as a family extension. They train them to participate in ceremonies and to do some daily chores. There are farmers who train them to be helping hands in the farm, to weed out pests and to hunt prey.
The tradition has continued including in the upper echelons in the current society. People in England have reserved fox hunting as a sport for the royalty and very rich. The tradition has existed since the 16th century.
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From Cerberus to Lassie dogs have been humanity’s constant friends, companions and protectors. Ethereal plain guardians take dogs to be protectors of the soul. Annwn hounds guard Welsh Underworld gates while the Anubis is an ancient Egyptian god of the dead.
Garmr guards the gates of the Helhem in the Norse tradition. And in the Aztec and Mayan cultures, people buried dogs with human sacrifice to guide them through Netherworld. There are individuals who believably take dogs as harbingers of death and especially if they howl during the night.
And of course, you can remember Lassie keeping the little Timmy safe from any harm. Throughout the world, dog lovers can attest the loving and loyal nature of this animal.
After a devastating earthquake that occurred in Japan in the year 2011, stories arose of some dogs that refused to leave behind their owners in spite of the danger that surrounded them. In addition, it is not a surprise that they are the popular guide animals for disabled people.
Meaning of dog tattoos
A dog is the man’s best friend and symbolizes a character range including loyalty, friendship, companionship, protectors and guardians, resourcefulness, intelligence, obedience, family and community, strength and dominance mainly for the aggressive breeds.
Most dog tattoo designs revolve around affection and personal love for canine companions. Dogs are sentimental to other world’s gateways. Ancient Egyptians, Greco Romans, Celtics and other cultures considered dogs to be spiritual or psychopomp guide. They identified them as friends when the human soul is changing from the physical to the non-physical realm. Possibly, if you feel as if you are straddling the ephemeral reality and the worldly life, a dog tattoo can easily solidify your guardianship and protection feeling while you move through veils of experience and reality.
In Shamanic wisdom, a dog symbolizes powers of a forest. In this wisdom, we see dogs as strong, hearty, savvy and keen wilderness guides leading through darkness and immeasurable mystical territories. A dog is a real champion guide.
In both spiritual and physical journeys dogs are phenomenal companions. A great dog tattoo can be a better way of conveying the guidance concept while winding your way through the darkest forest of life.
In the Asian belief, a dog symbolizes good luck. Chinese prescribed prosperity and good fortune, obedience and friendliness to dogs. In Chinese zodiac, a dog is related to the Aquarius. And they consider it to have amicable disposition.
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Placement of a dog tattoo
Choosing the right dog tattoo can be a trickier task. But it can also be easier than you even think. There are some things you should consider before picking any tattoo. First, research on what that tattoo symbolize, where to place it on your body, or the elements to add to enhance the appearance of the piece.
After selecting a dog tattoo, you should talk to your tattooist to know the best place to have it inked. Perhaps, you can get it placed on your stomach or upper arm. Your upper back or your arms also form a great canvas for the art.
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Types of dog tattoos
The tattoos come in various variations. They exist in various contours and sizes. For example, there are pink poodles and red cartoon tattoos. The tattoos feature multiple designs elements. You can have a traditional Celtic design inked on you or even a photo of your favorite pouch.
Some of the popular dog designs include:
- Dog breed tattoos.
If you are a dog lover, you may have a special place in your heart for a particular breed. Whether you love Rottweiler or Greyhounds, Dachshunds, Weiner dogs, Pugs or even Poodles, every breed has unique personality traits that the owners identify them with.
There are owners who get the tattoos to pay tribute to their Fido.
- Dog paw tattoos.
Some people choose to get dog paws print as a primary feature of their artwork. They do this to honor their beloved pooch and in addition as a symbol of the deep love and connection existing between them and the animal.
Mostly, getting a dog paw tattoo placed on you can be part of a grieving process after losing a loved animal.
- Moon dogs.
Dogs are moon connected creatures. They remind us that we should move in-sync in our day to day life. The moon dogs ask you to release yourself to your untamed self. Roar at the moon. Go wild with lunar lust. Copulate by the moonlight. Dogs do this and your inner canine can also do it.
Alternatively, you can say that a moon dog tattoo can underscore your need to break out conformity.
- Solar dogs.
Solar dogs remind you of your strength, vitality and courage. The dogs linked to the sun also symbolize brighter self expression and clearer communication. Many people around the world have recruited dogs to aid them in their agricultural practices and in battles/war.
The two practices are associated with the heat from the sun. The sun dog tattoo is suitable for any person aiming for an illuminated self expression.
- Legendary black dog tattoo.
Tales of mysterious ghost dogs that appear in times of trouble have been plentiful for many past centuries. If you like the atmosphere attached to the legend, you should choose a black image of your favorite breed and include glowing yellow or red eyes.
- Chinese zodiac dog.
If you love the Chinese zodiac and you were also born in the sign, it can form a great base for other dog tattoos. Adopt any Foo dog or Asian dog art which appeals to you and place it somewhere on your body.
- Dog skull.
Skulls are most people’s favorite. And you can also choose a unique style to place on one of your body parts. You can consider a simpler line drawing or a particular breed.