Who holds that it is makruh (disliked)?

Maliki: The dog, including its saliva, is pure. Keeping one purely as a pet is disliked; some Maliki scholars permit it. Hanafi: The dog itself is not impure, but its saliva is. Keeping one without a purpose is disliked.

Who holds that it is haram?

Shafi'i and Hanbali: The dog is impure (anything touched by its saliva is washed seven times, once with earth), and keeping one without a need is prohibited.

Can a Muslim keep a dog?

It depends. Keeping a dog for guarding, herding, hunting or assistance is permitted in all schools. Keeping one purely as a pet is discouraged by the hadith, and the schools also differ on how impure a dog is.

Depends · Everyday life · From the Halal or Not? rulebook, checked 28 September 2026

The views, and who holds them

Held by	Verdict	Reasoning
Maliki	Makruh (disliked)	The dog, including its saliva, is pure. Keeping one purely as a pet is disliked; some Maliki scholars permit it.
Hanafi	Makruh (disliked)	The dog itself is not impure, but its saliva is. Keeping one without a purpose is disliked.
Shafi'i and Hanbali	Haram	The dog is impure (anything touched by its saliva is washed seven times, once with earth), and keeping one without a need is prohibited.

Worth knowing

Guide and assistance dogs are permitted by necessity in every school.

Quick answers

Can a Muslim keep a dog?: It depends. Keeping a dog for guarding, herding, hunting or assistance is permitted in all schools. Keeping one purely as a pet is discouraged by the hadith, and the schools also differ on how impure a dog is.
Who holds that it is makruh (disliked)?: Maliki: The dog, including its saliva, is pure. Keeping one purely as a pet is disliked; some Maliki scholars permit it. Hanafi: The dog itself is not impure, but its saliva is. Keeping one without a purpose is disliked.
Who holds that it is haram?: Shafi'i and Hanbali: The dog is impure (anything touched by its saliva is washed seven times, once with earth), and keeping one without a need is prohibited.

Sources

Halal or Not? rulebook topic “Dogs and keeping a dog”, live answer (checked 28 September 2026)

Information, not a fatwa. Where scholars differ, this shows the main views so you can follow the one you already follow or ask a scholar you trust.

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