It is the general belief among Muslims that dogs are ritually unclean and it is thus wrongful for a Muslim to intentionally touch or keep a dog. These traditional beliefs, however, have not gone unchallenged. The possibility of a contrary conclusion, premised upon alternative interpretations of the relevant religious texts, has been variously posited. Unfortunately, despite prolonged debates, the two sides remain in a deadlock. This phenomenon will occupy the discussion of this paper, focusing on the context of the Muslim-majority Malaysia. The aim is not to find the right answer but rather to stress the importance of maturity and openness in religious discourse, which has far reaching consequences even beyond the topic at hand.