Dogs and Hardwood Floors

[Ralph Wiggum]

I'm looking for some guidance here.

We are looking at a house that we like that has predominantly hardwood floors. Also we plan on getting a large dog (great dane) in the not too distant future. I'm a little bit leary of the dog wrecking the floors.

Is this a problem?

[fivebucks]

We have maple floors in our house with our 75 lb lab. They are 1923 era boards if that means anything. We have some light scratches here and there but not too many and not too bad. It is mainly scratches on the finish and not into the wood. If the new floor is oak I wouldn't be too worried but it depends on how soft the wood is. Either way you probably will get light scratches on the finish and maybe some that hit the wood some. My last dog was an outside dog and with this one we decided we would put up with some scratches (which can be sanded out and refinished) to have the dog in the house with us. I do not regret the choice (except for the occasional bad air )

[dogs]

I have had and have labs on hardwood floors and notice no scatching. The laminate stuff in the kitchen is especially tough. The floors were tough on the older dogs. Rugs really seem to be a necessity, especially to the seniors .

[tgff009]

Ralph - I have a lab and hardwood(oak) in my house. I agree with the previous 2 posts - In general, the dog will not hurt the floor - just surface scratches which are not that noticeable unless you are looking for them. I try to keep the dog off the hardwood when playing around. All the damage I have on my floor is caused by 3 young children.

[Sandmannd]

Keep the toe nails trimmed and that will cut down on a lot of scratches. I prefer the hardwood. Much easier to clean the hair and if they have an accident.

[youngie22]

Bad combination there. My aunt and uncle actually have glued fake finger nail caps onto their dogs nails (Springer Spaniel). They are custum made for dogs and cats, The nails need to be clipped and And caps glued onto nail. These special rubber tips don't seem to hinder his feet and no scratches on floor anymore. Not sure if its something you may want to do to your dog, but an option. My mothers friend has a beautiful million dollar home on the blufs of Mississipi and she makes her golden retriever wear little booties when ever he is inside. THe dog is the most spoiled I have ever seen. He actually eats all homemade dog food which is venison, fish, and grains. He eats way better than me.

[cabin boy]

Dogs will scratch hardwood floors!

Dogs will not scratch laminate!

[Walleye Guy]

We just put Brazilian cherry hardwood floors in our dining room and kitchen. I have two labs who are both around 70lbs. So far there have been no scratches in either the finish or the wood itself. We picked this particular wood because it is over two times harder than oak. Another one to look at if installing new floors is Bamboo. It is really hard.

So far so good but its only been three weeks. I am more concerned about my kids than I am with my dogs.

[harvey lee]

I have harwood floors in the dining room and the kitchen. I keep the dogs nails trimmed just like I have to put pads or sliders on the chair legs. Yes, I do get a few very small scrathes from both but, there not that bad. The scratches are in the finish and not deep into the wood.

[hondavxr]

I think everyone with dogs should have hardwood floors. You don't get that "dog smell" like you get with carpets. If you walk your dog often on cement or asphalt you will not need to trim their nails. Normal walks will file their nails down. All dogs need some daily walks anyway. If there are scratches they are barely noticable.

[Kylersk]

The best part about hardwood laminant floors is... When the door bell rings, or the cat runs by, watching the dog 'spin his wheels' trying to turn or get going.

[caseymcq]

Quote:

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Dogs will scratch hardwood floors!

Dogs will not scratch laminate!

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I would agree with cabin boy. We have laminate flooring and they don't scratch that. I have seen where pups have scratched real wood flooring.

[Ufatz]

Our wide plank oak flooring was something like $10 a foot. The Lab scratches it from time to time. She also stepped in my fresh concrete entry pad. Man I love that little girl!!