Opinions needed about first date

It's not in the least bit odd.
It's a very good way of starting a conversation and possibly his way of assessing whether DD is comfortable with pets. Many owners feel as much love for their pet as they would for a child so it's probably very important for him to find out her reaction.
And another thought - some people have 'therapy dogs', these days.

Has she read 'The Rules'? Have you? There's a lot of good advice that helps you keeps safe and avoid forming relationships with people who will not be good for you. There is a section on first and first few dates.

First date? Met on the internet? What does one talk about? Rattling one's brains to find out if he likes, what music, etc etc etc. The dog gives them something to talk about from the outset. She might like the dog (and its owner) in which good. If she doesn't like dogs then she needn't go.

I've been with my DH for about 56 years and we've had dogs for 40 of those. I'm more of a doggy person but I know that if I was ever on my own I would not become friendly with anyone who didn't like dogs too.

Did he specify exactly where the dog-friendly venue was? Seems a bit odd and vague. Local park probably ok; remote woodland less so.

I don’t think it’s odd, kill two birds, walk the dog & meet up with future partner, light, relaxed first meet up!

You haven’t said if it’s a day or evening meet up, or whether she knows him upfront or it’s an internet liaison. If they don’t know each other face to face yet and it’s day time, I think it’s a rather nice trait-unless you hate dogs/its aggressive etc.

A dog is what brought my Dd and her partner together.DD had been in an abusive relationship and was wary of dating again. She’s also a bit of a petrolhead and had taken her car to a car show and when her now partner approached the car his dog ran up to DD and the rest as they say is history. We now look after the dog when they go on holiday and love the dog to bits.

Maybe a bit unusual. But hardly threatening. Maybe both sides are over-thinking this. You're looking for reasons to be suspicious. He's got the idea that 'dog owner' presents well. Also, if she's allergic or a dog-hater, they're not going to be a good match, might as well find out now!

Maybe he needs the dog's approval of your daughter🤣

Well, he will certainly quickly find out whether the women he is interested in dating likes dogs or not, which is all to the good from his point of view.

From your daughter's, you can judge a lot about a person from the way they treat their pets. If the dog makes a nusiance of itself, she probably won't want to continue seeing this man. Ditto if he swears, shouts or sounds angry, when he addresses the dog, or if the dog seems cowed.

In the past when I dated and now when inviting people for the first time, I always ask if they are allergic to, or dislike cats, as I have two. I wouldn't want anyone to become ill by coming here unaware of my cats.

By mentioning that he would like to bring the dog, he signaled that anyone afraid of or allergic to dogs might reasonably want to back out.

Is it a rottweiler?

loopyloo it's a cavapoo I think, and the date is in a pub

I think a lot of people seem to envisage the "old style" of first dates where the the couple are people who know each other or have been introduced, the guy invites you out, you dress up, he comes and collects you and then takes you for dinner.

But my experience of having 20-something DDs is that this is not the way dates work in the 2020s. Many people meet online so the first date is usually a quick "meet and greet" in a public place so you can get to know each other (and potentially make a quick getaway) to decide whether you have enough in common to have another date. People often meet after work and my DDs would certainly not allow the guy to pick them up for a first date.

Most first dates seem to be a cup of coffee or a walk in a public park.

My friend had been in touch with a guy on line who said he had a dog, they talked for a couple of weeks & he asked for a loan of £5000, stating he would give it back.. (like a fool she gave him the money) He arranged to meet up at our local park to go for a walk with the dog, but never showed up (forgot about that).. think that’s a rarity though

Think it’s a nice idea. It would seem that being with someone who doesn’t like dogs is a deal breaker so he’s making sure it’s not an issue!
Personally I couldn’t have a partner who didn’t love my dog.

It's a good idea for a more natural meet up like a dog walk. I suggest she asks a few questions though. I once got stood up for a dog! Week-end cancelled because he needed to dog sit.

It's a Love Me Love my dog test. I don't think it's odd though. The younger generation are more relaxed about stuff.

I was divorced for about 20 years and used internet dating a lot. I met one guy for a first date for a walk with his dog - we met up at a country pub, had a walk with dog, and then lunch in the pub - it was an ideal way to meet someone! (Didn't actually end up with him, but I liked him and we got on really well).

Biscuitmuncher

A bit of a funny one, DD is going on a first date. She's mid 20s he's 30 and he wants to go somewhere dog friendly so he can bring his dog! She's not sure if this is a bit odd

Depends on what sort of dog he has! A large or smelly dog might be off putting and I hope your DD is a dog lover!

I don't think it's odd either. The dog will act as a lovely distraction if things get awkward. A good idea I think.

It’s as odd as taking your child (if you have one) on a first date
It tells me his dog is as important as a person and it also tells me that he goes nowhere without it Will suit some wouldn’t suit me at all
Tell your daughter to take her pet dog, cat chimpanzee with her for this casual meet up 🤣

If you read the original post he wants to go somewhere dog friendly so he can bring his dog that’s not about a casual walk it’s a man who goes nowhere without his dog bet it’s in his bed too

Think it shows him as a caring person, and lets him know if she is a dog person or not, and as that sounds like a deal breaker ( love me love my dog) then it lets both of them know from the start there will be 3 in the relationship. A walk in the park and a coffee in the park cafe sounds a nice date to me, hope it is dry if thats what they do.

Nothing odd about that. It will give him something to focus on while waiting for your DD and also could be an ice breaker.

I'd ask to for details and to see a photo of the dog. Looks like a case of love me, love my dog, and also a means of keeping the date informal. At least he has given advance notice.

So this is the update. She's decided against the pub date, so she's taking her dog and meeting him and his dog for a walk on Sunday