My parents are European, they told me that in Europe everyone had a dog, the frum yidden had them outside in order to protect their property. Good alarm system!
We actually do not have a dog but we asked our Rov, he said there is no issur but for some reason it is not done. Frum yidden have a hard enough time making ends meet with bli ayin horah all the children, tuition, costs of living and kosher food and meat and chicken. Having a pet is expensive, feeding and the vet bill, plus it is hard to make time taking care of a pet when you have a couple of kids as well.
I wonder what the frum oilam holds about owning cats, are they considered impure (behaimah temaiyah)?