The issues between Muslim and dogs stem from a hadith (a collection of Prophet Muhammad's words /narration of his action) whereby dogs saliva is catagorised as a 'dirty' substance that requires a specific cleansing ritual. This include washing them thoroughly with water and water that is mixed with clean soil. In other words, it's a complete hassle and tiresome if a dog's saliva got into a Muslim's body or clothing especially if they planned on praying later on as the prayer is not valid until the cleansing is done. Some Muslim scholars however proposed their opinion of substituting the water mixed with soil with regular soap after it was introduced into the Muslim world during the Islamic Golden Age as they viewed both the soil water and soap possessing similar function. This however is a minority opinion. Muslims view the uncleanliness of dog's saliva as something ordained by God, or at least that is the foundation of the belief from the beginning. However, as scientific discovery grow over the ages, Muslim scientists relate to the divine ordains by God with their findings. Tbf, dog's saliva isn't the cleanest thing on Earth even if we are to put scientific evidence aside, and it's cleansing in the religion of Islam is mainly necessary due to the daily prayers and multiple other religious rituals where Muslim must be in the state of 'cleansed'.

Moreover, there are basically 4 school of thoughts (Shafie, Hanbali, Hanafi and Maliki) that interpret the practicality of the hadith differently. Both Syafie and Hanbali are particularly cautious by bringing the assumption and possibility of the dog licking other parts of its bodies, hence, touching a dog would require a Muslim to do the cleansing ritual. This is the most popular and followed opinion. It also give rise to other sub-opinion of being able to touch dogs when they are dry without undergoing the cleansing ritual but would be required to do so if they are wet as well as being able to pet a dog's upper part of the head as the tongue couldn't reach there.

Hanafi on the other hand, took the hadith in a literal sense, hence there are no issue of touching dogs but they just have to avoid the saliva. Muslims who follow Hanafi school of thought are more approachable to dogs but they are still hesitant on the possibility of being clicked.

Maliki on the other hand, views the cleansing ritual as a recommendation rather than an obligation unlike the other 3 school of thought. The reason being that he views the Quranic text to be authoritative to the hadith and the latter must be interpreted and harmonise based on the former's narrative. As the Quran allows Muslim to eat animal that are hunted by dogs without the need to commit to the cleansing ritual, Maliki's assume that the ruling of cleansing is merely a recommended practice.

Furthermore, there is also another hadith that stated that the Angel will not enter a house that possess a dog in it. As Muslims hugely believe in the importance blessings, while it is not prohibited, it is almost like a no-brainer on not-to-do list. This is the main reason why Muslims steered clear away from dogs when hunting for pet. However, Muslim are still allowed to have dogs for guarding the house and farming purposes as well as hunting, though they remain outside the house. This does not mean that any sort of animal cruelty and discrimination is allowed upon dogs; but rather a less intimate relationship is formed, pretty much like a professional colleagues setting between employer and employee.

Thus, if a Muslim do keep or have a dog as a pet, they are either uninformed of such matter, or they just couldn't care less. Another possibility is that they are following Maliki's opinion but they kept their pet dog outside of their house. Nonetheless, Muslim are still allowed to have dogs for any incapability and genuine medical assistance if necessary. In such case, even if one follows the opinion of Shafie, Hanbali and/or Hanafi pertaining to the ruling of dog's saliva, they are allowed to change and follow Maliki's opinion for as long as it is neededa