Q: Kindly advise as to what are the rulings concerning dogs. I have small children who are very fond of dogs and would like to buy one for our household. I am a bit hesitant because I am concerned about wudhu and ghusl breaking if the dogs touch you. Is that true? Is it permissible to keep dogs and are they allowed to enter one’s home?
A: It is not permissible to keep dogs as pets. The household is deprived of the Mercy of Allah Taãla. However, Jurists have stated that it is permissible to keep a dog, sell dogs and rear them for security purposes, farming and hunting. (Fataawa Mahmoodiyyah vol.8 pg.263) The saliva of a dog is Najis (impure). If it touches the clothes or body, that portion also becomes impure and must be washed.
Council of Ulama
Eastern Cape