Look at something like a hickory (very hard) that is a bit rustic, and handscraped. It will disguise the wear and tear that does happen. It's what we chose for our new showroom main walkway and it's been down almost a year. We've had pallet jacks and heavy carpet displays moved across it, and it still looks brand new.

Bruce Frontier Hickory in Golden Brown. It's engineered and can be glued down or nailed down. We had it on special after our grand opening for around $3.20, but I think it's back up to regular price, which is around $3.40 a square foot.

Light Mocha color

Sahara Sand color

So far i am favoring black walnut, hickory is up there too.

I've read that trimming the fur that sticks out between a dog's foot pads can help with traction and that trimming their nails so they are just above the ground can be helpful also.

My girls have super short coats. Nothing to trim. Nails are kept short. Those are good suggestions though and may help someone else in the future if they are searching for suggestions.

I wouldn't do black walnut. While it does have a prominent grain that will hide some wear, it's also pretty soft. Something with a prominent grain and that's also hard would be better with pets. A rustic oak, hickory, or even some rustic maples would work well, and still look pretty. Your home doesn't have to look like it's "gone to the dogs" even if they are allowed full run of the space. Something like that shown above will continue to look good, despite wear and tear.

So what do you think it was about the fir floors we had that made it easier for the dogs to run on it? Was it the softness? Or the finish? If it was the softness (maybe it made it easier for them to dig in and grip...?) then i think i would want that softness again. The marks left behind genuinely did not bother me - and i dont care if it bothers anyone else. If it's the finish then the wood type wouldn't matter as much.

I'm wondering if I should just go back to looking at tile that looks like wood. If it gives the grip I need I may just need to go that route. Options...

I went with a rustic hickory 5" plank in the den/library, and slate (gauged, not honed) in the rest of the main floor (with under floor heating). My primary motivation (other than esthetic) was for the 4 labrador retrievers, 3 of which are over 9 years old. I had a high quality laminate down prior to this. It looked great and was terrible for the dogs.

We have 2 dogs. We built a log home last year, and put reclaimed oak flooring in. We love the floors, they are a bit beat up, because they are supposed to be. The dogs have no problems getting their footing on the floors.

There are vinyl and laminate and tile finishes that have a high non-skid rating. Your doggies would love it.

Look in the commercial products for the ones they use in public spaces.

Niroha, I have a non flooring suggestion for you! I have an ancient Bassett mix with a back/disc problem. He has difficulty getting around on non carpeted floors (we have hand scrapped hardwoods that don't add enough traction). The Vet suggested a product called Dr. Buzby's Toe Grips. They are just little rubber rings that slip over the nail and give the dog a better grip. They are amazing!
I tried to add the link, but it won't take. You can just google it and see the product and testimonials.