There are specific rulings regarding hunting dogs and guard dogs. I have a question about a third type of dog…

Question

There are specific rulings regarding hunting dogs and guard dogs. I have a question about a third type of dog which is “therapy dogs”. This type of dog is specially trained to assist individuals who are hearing- or visually-impaired, as well as others with certain disabilities. These dogs live closely with their owners, both inside and outside the home, constantly accompanying them everywhere. For example, they act as the ears for the hearing-impaired or the eyes for the visually-impaired, among other functions. What is the ruling on this type of dog in terms of purity and impurity, and what are the implications for acts of worship?

Answer

In the name of Allah, the ruling for this category of dogs is the same as that for hunting and guard dogs. Just as those types are permitted, so too is this one; however, it remains impure (najis) like all other dogs. Allah knows best.

Source·Ayatullah Bashir Hussain al-Najafi·alnajafy.comalnajafy.com

Ayatullah Bashir Hussain al-Najafi · Accepted Answer

In the name of Allah, the ruling for this category of dogs is the same as that for hunting and guard dogs. Just as those types are permitted, so too is this one; however, it remains impure (najis) like all other dogs. Allah knows best.

There are specific rulings regarding hunting dogs and guard dogs. I have a question about a third type of dog…

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