First date - guy bringing dog

[Macaroni46]

So I've been chatting to a guy online who seems very nice etc and we have arranged to meet for the first time at the weekend.
We are going for lunch at a pub I a village half way between where we both live.
I am aware he is a dog owner and very fond of his dog. Talks about him a lot, sends pictures of him etc.
Through the course of our message exchange it transpires that he is bringing his dog to the first date. I'm not sure how I feel about this?
AIBU in feeling it's odd? Or should I just embrace it? After all, a plump middle aged woman can hardly be too choosy!

Wouldn't bother me, I think it's quite sweet really. If I were in that situation I would definitely take my dog, nice lunch and then a nice walk

My DP brought his dog to our first date as we arranged to have a dog walk, wasn't an issue for me as I like dogs and the dog was part of his life.
Guess it all depends on how you feel about dogs?

YABU. Owners come attached to their dogs. It would be much odder for him not to bring it.

I think you can be as choosy as you want!

If it's a pub that allows well behaved dogs inside where you eat I wouldn't have a problem with that. However I would have a problem if they don't and he will be popping in and out to check on the dog or horrors of horrors expecting to eat outside at the tail end of winter because of the dog, I wouldn't be impressed.

Sounds a perfect date to me
If he works during the week he probably doesn't want to leave fido home alone at the weekend

Do you mind me asking why you think it's odd? He obviously loves his dog a lot if he's been talking a lot about it and has sent photos.

Fuck I’d love that.
It’s only a pub trip so there’s no harm in taking the dog, and if his dog is important to him, better to make that clear from the word go.

Thinking about it, I brought my dog on one of my first dates with DH, didn’t even cross my mind that he would be bothered by it. Mind you, we are both country folk so.

I went on a date where he brought his dog, it was actually quite a good ice breaker.

Unless you hate dogs, I can't see that it would make any difference to you.

I would like this as I love dogs and also because it’s a great icebreaker. But I suppose it depends how you feel about dogs?

His dog must be well behaved too, mine are far too bad to take for lunch 😃

Have you ever owned a dog? They require a lot of commitment if looked after properly, so if this is going to annoy you best make that clear from the outset

Not odd at all imo.

How do you feel about dogs? You probably need to be okay with the dog being a very important part of his life, and going most places with him. If you aren't okay with that, he might not be the guy for you.

I think for a pub lunch first date it's ok. If it becomes a situation where the he can't do something because he can't leave the dog or he expects the dog to be present during more intimate moments the it would probably be best to let him get on with hanging out with his dog and look for someone who isn't a weirdo.

Thanks for the replies. That's why I asked cos I wanted to know if I'm being odd - seems I am! Just thought he might have said rather than just presume

IME, if you're not a doggy person and the guy is, that's a pretty fundamental incompatibility. Myself I'm really not a doggy person: I don't find them cute or lovely, I am nervous when they bark loudly or jump up, I dislike their smell, and I'd hate the lifestyle sacrifices that come with having a pet (going home early to let them out, finding kennels when you go away etc). I get that many people find dogs lovely and they are a big part of their lives - nothing wrong with that - I just wouldn't be compatible dating a doggy person because our lifestyles and preferences are so different. For me it's a bigger red line than say, if he occasionally smokes. And I think secretly most doggy people wouldn't want to date a non-doggy person either. It's pretty polarising.

That's what good dog owners do - take them out whenever they can. Lunch at a village pub sounds ideal. He sounds responsible at least. But if you think its odd, then maybe a dog owner is not for you.

I think this is great - if there's a lull in the conversation you can fuss over the dog - silences make me anxious!! If he couldn't have a date without including his dog i.e cinema, theatre then that would be a problem.

*Disclaimer, I have a dog.

The date sounds very dog-friendly suitably and if it’s a well behaved dog, it shouldn’t be intrusive and should be a good ice-breaker as a pp says. However, if it isn’t your bag, then you have every right to say you’d rather the dog didn’t come along. Or, if you aren’t a dog person, to decide that this man who obviously includes this dog in many aspects of his life, isn’t the man for you and move on before you get attached. Both are fair enough.

Sorry for rogue ‘suitably’ in there!

@Umberta I agree with you, I think the liking/not liking dogs thing is a dealbreaker as there’s not really a compromise.

It depends whether his affection for his dog comes across as normal concern, topic of conversation, nice ice breaker for a date (maybe he's going to give the dog a good long walk before your lunch?) or obsessive 'this is my only interest in life and outlet for my affections', surely?

My XP cuddles his dog (wouldn't cuddle me) and can't leave her unattended in the house (although the day carers leave her alone). It made my life very lonely in the end.

So yeah, meet him and gauge it from there.

I think it was the fact he presumed. Didn't ask. I'll go along and see.
Am always not that keen on dogs in restaurants / near food but appreciate I may well be in the minority in that

I echo pps who say this isn't uncommon behaviour for dog owners. I would have loved it when I was dating. Think of it as the best ice breaker ever!

I would have loved that.