Do you remember the Disney movie called Beethoven about a St. Bernard? About half way through the movie Beethoven decides to have fun in the mud.  Covered in dirt, he runs into the house, up the carpeted steps, and into the homeowner’s bed. 

When designing for dogs, it’s important to keep that scene from Beethoven in mind.  Several things should be considered.  Entry way dirt, water, stains, accidents, and dog comfort. 

Flooring is a concern when dogs are in the family mix.  Some flooring is more scratch resistant than others.  Ceramic tile or stone is a good option due to easy stain, dirt, and water cleanup.  But dogs can easily slip on ceramic tile.  Stone is not comfortable for dogs. 

Hardwood flooring offers a lot of benefits to dog owners.  They are more comfortable than tile flooring, they clean up relatively easily, and with a coat of hard urethane damage to the floors should be minimal. 

If you choose to get hardwood, tile, or stone flooring, purchase good quality area rugs for your dog to sleep and play on.