It sounds like you are on the right track. A matte finish would go a long way to help hide marks. Area rugs may also be a good idea for the high traffic areas.

Hi Shelby, can you give an update? Did you go with the walnut floors and if so, how have they held up?

I have walnut floors and two labrador retrievers. The floors have a lot of scratches in them! I long ago gave up trying to avoid it as its impossible. No one that comes into my home would notice without looking for them but they are everywhere especially in high traffic areas, and where they get out of their beds etc. Also, walnut floors lighten dramatically over time...they have a gold hue now instead of the rich deep brown we started with. The grain is beautiful but I'd go with oak next time around.

We had gorgeous walnut floors in our new build five years ago. We discussed our golden retriever at length with the flooring vendor and paid extra to have them “bullet proofed”. I was SICK that they were immediately dented by the pups nails. Not really scratched, but dented in long scrapes whenever he would get up, move, etc. We even tried the plastic tips for his nails and booties!Walnut is very soft and just will not hold up to larger pups. I don’t have pictures (we sold two years ago), but it was really bad and very noticeable. Almost any wood will show some wear, but the walnut was the worst. :(