We currently have two rescue danes and we need some advice on flooring options.

We recently had a plumbing disaster in the master bathroom. The master bedroom carpet, another bedroom, and some carpet in the common area (family room, living room) was damaged beyond recovery. So, we are looking at reflooring the whole first floor of our house. We've considered stained concrete... love the low maintenance aspect of the it. But having the concrete made into a suitable interior floor in an already occupied house looks to be a real headache. So we are seriously considering laminate.

The danes hate having their nails trimmed. Hence the nails tend to run a bit long. We are concerned about scratching. We are looking the True Flooring AC5 (heavy traffic commercial grade) and Armstrong Grand Illusions (an AC3 rating... high traffic residential grade). The True Flooring AC5 has a non-slip surface to it and is fairly attractive. It also seems about as tough as the armor on a battleship... significantly harder to scratch than residential grade laminate. The Armstrong Grand Illusions is stunningly realistic, but as slick and glossy as ice. We fear that it might pose problems for our danes... a boisterous moment and some splayed legs might result in blown knees, dislocated hips, or worse. And we simply don't know how well AC3 flooring might stand up to a 170 lb dane with bear claws.

Does anyone out there have any experience with the laminate flooring brands that we are considering? Any experience with laminate floors of any stripe? What brands do you have? Are they glossy (slick) or matte finish? How well have they withstood your danes (scratching, staining, etc.)? How well have your danes maintained traction?

If you have any experience you think is pertinent, please share. Thanks!!

-Clay

[edited to correct the rating on the Armstrong]