It's not that it's a taboo, it's the fact they break the persons Wudo (abulution to gain ritual purity). What this means practically is you would need to chang

It's not that it's a taboo, it's the fact they break the persons Wudo (abulution to gain ritual purity). What this means practically is you would need to change your clothes and perform abulution if you wanted to pray; which you do, five times a day. Now day to day working life, this can be difficult, finding a toilet/mosque etc. So it's easier to stay clear of dogs. Muslims don't hate dogs per se (obviously there will be culture bias), or any other animal. We are told to respect all living beings including trees. -- Source - I'm a muslim, though there's probably a lot i've missed, and not an expert.