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!

After all, a plump middle aged woman can hardly be too choosy!<

You mustn't say this, honestly you shouldn't! I wouldn't tolerate hearing such a thing said about another person, so I really don't think you should say this of yourself (even in jest ... )

Risky. What happens if dog go is more gorgeous than him? He’s setting himself up for a fall.

Or maybe it’s good at judging people?

Just saying.

I can’t believe the number of people thinking this is ok. It’s not the dog itself it’s the presumption. He should definitely have asked. I also find it weird, why would you bring your pet on a first date. I am an animal lover, but surely this is a no. Once you’ve got to know each other that is different.

Also FeeLock28 you are so right.

OP I had a guy do the same thing on a first date. He didn't ask either just assumed it'd be ok. I hated it as the date was a walk, it was freezing cold and we had to keep stopping to let the dog sniff stuff so I was doubly frozen. There was no second date...

I personally think dog owners have lost perspective here. A first date? You take flowers or chocolates not some smelly, hair shedding animal

Lost perspective on what? Lots of women have said here they’d love for a dog to join a date! Not all dogs are smelly And who’s to say because he’s bringing his dog he wasn’t going to bring flowers as well? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, to me he sounds like a catch, as many women have said on here.

It’s a lunchtime date in a village pub and he knows you know he has a dog. He probably ( wrongly ) assumes you would know he’d bring his dog so it wasn’t in its own/ could walk it after etc.

I’m guessing it might be odd for an evening date but lunches are so casual anything goes.

I like dogs but certain breeds no I think he should of at least asked your thoughts on bringing said dog to the date.Sounds like this guy adores his pet and if you want to date you’d better be ready for some plus ones too

I’m not too keen on dogs in restaurants, near food etc
Would you be ok having dinner at his house with the dog there?
There’s not much point dating someone who has a dog if you’re not keen on having one in the kitchen.

If dog hair is your glitter you’ve definitely lost perspective! Just because many women would settle for this doesn’t make it right. There are times to leave the animal at home and a first date is one of them

The fact that you said “the animal” says it all really 😂

Many women wouldn’t SETTLE for this, many women would love it. Read the previous comments....
What have I “lost perspective” on? I would find it quite romantic going on a lovely dog walk, some others would too, some wouldn’t. Doesn’t make either right or wrong

Love me ---- love my doggie:)

I’d have been fine with the dog in this sort of scenario. Maybe not if it had been a romantic evening meal in a restaurant!

My first “proper” date with an ex was a walk on the beach with his dog. He wasn’t local and hadn’t realised it was also a naturist beach. Oh, the look on his face as his spaniel took off at top speed chasing a naked jogger, penis flapping in the breeze. How I laughed.

My dog has joined me on a few first dates if at the pub, including some meals (she just lays on floor hoping some food may fall her way). I'm a massive dog nerd so they'd had adequate warning prior to arranging any dates. They were keen to meet her & possibly enjoyed her company more so than mine . I find it more calming & giving dog a stroke while gather thoughts isn't a noticeable silence & they
seem to appreciate distraction too.

Its a sign of longer term compatibility too, if they aren't interested, uncomfortable around dogs or have very different views, its not going to work out as they're a big part of my life & share my home. It seems fairly common for couples to later end up with one party vetoing future pets.

I don't think you're well matched. He's really into his dog. You're like warm about dogs. The minute you say 'oh I don't think it's a good idea to bring your dog, he's going to say 'bye'!

My DP brought his dog along on our first date (a walk around a local town to us, so didn't matter). I was surprised at the time but grew to love the dog as my own.(prior to that I was a cat person) til she left us about 3 years ago

DP and I are still going strong after 10 years.

I suppose my point is yes he should probably have asked but it might be alright in the end.

OP I think you are massively overthinking this. I still feel you’ve, maybe unintentionally, given him the wrong message in your responses to his doggy messages and the poor man probably thinks you can’t wait to meet his dog.

A casual lunch in a country pub is hardly a ‘first date’. It’s more of a ‘let’s meet in the flesh and see how it goes from there.’

Your comment about not being too choosy seems to indicate that you are searching for a loving relationship. I’m reluctant to say this and don’t mean to be unkind but it comes over as a bit desperate. I’m sorry but that’s how it sounds and that might not necessarily be how this man is feeling. Sometimes people on dating websites are just looking for friendship.

I think you just need to slow down a bit. Enjoy the lunch - and the dog! - if you can and relax. If it develops then great. If not, what have you lost? A couple of hours and probably eaten a nice lunch.

I love dogs, I think having a dog at your date is a conversation piece

I'd be so excited if I was meeting someone and they brought a dog!

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.

Aww, love me, love my dog.
Do you have DC OP?
If so, take one of them along to even things up.

It would be a bit of a red flag for me as I don't really like dogs and find people who bang on about their pets very dull.

I think it’s fine, a good ice breaker.

After all, a plump middle aged woman can hardly be too choosy

You really can be choosy OP.
I would choose NOT to go on a date with this man and his furry bestfriend.

A casual lunch in a country pub is hardly a ‘first date’. It’s more of a ‘let’s meet in the flesh and see how it goes from there.’

Surely that is basically the definition of a date?

I come from a very dog mad family OP, and I have 2 dogs, but I would want to be asked if I minded him bringing the dog along. I would probably hesitantly say it was fine, but I would expect the option of saying no!