Dogs are the most kind wonderful animals there are. I know of no other animal that shows such simcha when he sees his owner. Many beg to be petted and lick you all over if you do. They can be taught to play all kinds of ball games and will gladly bring back the ball. They have a sense of humor and love to be teased. They mamash are man’s best friend. When I go out with my kids, we stop at every dog we see, and pet him and chat with the owner.
There is a chazal that says the dogs were given a tremendous reward because of lo yecheratz kelev lshono, and believe it or not, dog byproducts are used in the writing of a sefer Torah.
This business about being a bad omen or something is simply superstitious stuff which is probably asur to believe for a yid. Possibly darchei emori.
The only reason I don’t own one is that I think the tremendous work of cleaning up after them would be too much for us. They are wonderful animals, and one can see that with his own eyes.
The only dogs I don’t pet are seeing eye dogs which I have heard rightly or wrongly will get distracted from their mileches hakodesh of helping the poor soul who is their owner.