Aquarii enjoy their owner’s company. Well—they enjoy it as much as they enjoy anyone else’s. These are a very confident type of dog. Whenever new people come over, your Aquarius will be first to meet them. It usually won’t jump on them or lick their face, but it won’t go for the throat, either. An Aquarius will simply enter the room, perhaps do a few laps, back off if any initial attempts are made to pet it, and eventually give in for a few minutes before going on its way. If it were a fiercer or more aggressive dog, you might think that this is a territorial instinct. Actually, you know that your Aquarius just likes to be informed. It doesn’t like change that it doesn’t have a say in. Independence reigns supreme in your Aquarius.

Aquarii are very much their own animals. They do not respond to pointless commands and are sometimes classed, as a result, as being disobedient. Aquarii that were abused as puppies are even more stubborn, sometimes with a timid streak. Even in cases that might not be as severe as abuse, these dogs generally prefer to keep their free will as a sort of canine trump card. They want to be involved but not emotionally so. They will greet new people and tolerate petting and cuddling from their owners, but anything that directly impacts their world (another pet, for example) pulls out their tougher side. New pets don’t usually arouse a great deal of ire in your Aquarius, but it will grow irritable if the pet tries anything funny. The same is true for human newcomers who go for extra petting. If they overstay their sociability with an Aquarius once the dog feels that it has done its duty, the friends and acquaintances had better look out for those teeth.

Dogs born under the sign of Aquarius are not aggressive, but they are definitely reactionary. Gemini and Libra are the best matches for avoiding that. An Aquarius will not pick a fight, but it will do its best to win if provoked. (Even Chihuahuas will fight back when irritated.) This is often advantageous for you—Aquarii can be excellent guards—but depending on the breed, it may not always be safe for your dog. Be careful. Aquarii are fiercely loyal and can easily discern between friend and foe. Foes put their back up, and may receive a bit of a prickly introduction to the world of the Aquarius.