The Janka hardness rating is a system designed to measure the relative hardness of wood. It measures the amount of force required to press a small steel ball halfway into a piece of wood to determine its hardness and thus ability to withstand day to day use.
You can read more about the ranking system including examples of Janka ratings for various types of popular wood flooring by reading my article called What Is A Janka Rating (Wood Hardness) to get additional details.
What is a good Janka rating for wood flooring if you have dogs? Let’s take a look in greater detail!
What’s a good Janka hardness wood flooring rating if you have dogs?
A Janka rating of 1000 or more is considered a good choice for wood flooring in general. A Janka rating of 850 or less is considered a softwood and a Janka rating of 1250 or more denotes a hardwood.
The Janka hardness rating system is a great start for comparing wood flooring for example. Anyone who has had wood floors knows the frustration of getting a dent or a scratch and if you have a dog, it can be even more likely to happen.
Having said that, the hardness of a wood is of course only one criteria that you can use to choose your flooring option.
And you don’t even need to necessarily choose a wood specifically…
What types of wood flooring are good choices for homes with dogs?
The best wood for flooring when you have a dog may not even be a wood at all. These days you don’t have to solely pick wood and we’re not even considering carpet as an option either.
Hardwood flooring tends not to be cheap so let’s distinguish between medium and expensive wood flooring options.
But in the first column below, we’ll also refer to several non-wood options that vary in price but tend to be good choices for flooring when you have a dog, too.
Where appropriate, the associated Janka rating for each pet-friendly wood is shown in brackets.
| Wood alternative options | Medium priced wood flooring | Expensive wood flooring |
| Vinyl | Red Oak (1290) | Brazilian walnut (3680) |
| Tile | White oak (1360) | Brazilian cherry (2350) |
| Wood look tile | Hard maple (1450) | Red mahogany (2697) |
| Cork | Ash (1320) | Golden teak (2330) |
| Bamboo (1300) | Black walnut (1010) | Hickory (1820) |
It should be noted that over time, hardwood will dent and scratch regardless. It’s just the nature of the beast. You can however make decisions regarding the wood that you choose that can impact how durable your flooring is, however.
Side note: Wood is also a common material used to build temporary dog fences which you might need from time to tome, particularly if you take your dog on the road with you, to public areas, to the beach, etc.
Solid hardwood vs engineered hardwood flooring when you have a dog
People often choose hardwood over engineered wood because when there is a dog in the house some engineered wood flooring isn’t as high quality as real solid hardwood.
Having said that, engineered wood is – as the name would suggest – an engineered product: It was designed and built to last. It takes the positive aspects of wood and uses science to add durability, water resistance and scratch resistance.
As far as cost goes, when it comes to domestic woods, solid hardwoods and engineered woods are generally close in price but exotic woods are more expensive. It’s important to note that some products are simply better quality than others.
Good quality engineered hardwood can be built to better withstand dents and scratches than many solid woods, as per the list below that shows which weaker woods to avoid when you have a dog.
Popular wood flooring to avoid when you have a dog
Avoid any softwoods that have a Janka rating under 850 and stick to woods with a rating of 1000 or higher when choosing wood flooring for a home that has a dog.
While the following woods are popular, widely available and nice to look at, they’re also relatively soft and susceptible to damage from a dog’s nails.
Avoid these woods if you have a dog:
- American cherry
- American walnut
- Black cherry
- Carbonized bamboo
- Cedar
- Fir
- Pine
The truth is that the list of woods to avoid for flooring when you have a dog isn’t huge since softwoods are generally avoided for flooring as it is.
It is worth noting that you need to be specific regarding how to classify wood: American cherry and American walnut are woods to avoid as flooring when you have a dog. But Brazilian cherry and Brazilian walnut are both suitable because they are harder.
Some dog breeds have sharper nails than others
Here’s a table listing dog breeds known to have sharper nails that can potentially damage hardwood floors, along with suggestions on how to manage their nails on hardwood surfaces:
| Dog Breed | How to Deal with Their Nails on Hardwood Floors |
|---|---|
| Dachshund | Regularly trim their nails to keep them short and prevent scratching. Consider using nail caps or protective booties for added protection. |
| Greyhound | Keep their nails trimmed and rounded to minimize the risk of scratching. Regularly check for any sharp edges or splintering. |
| Jack Russell Terrier | Maintain regular nail trims to keep their nails shorter and blunted. Use nail files or grinders to smooth any rough edges. |
| Weimaraner | Trim their nails regularly and keep them short to reduce the chances of scratching. Consider using area rugs or protective mats. |
| Boxer | Regular nail maintenance is essential. Trim nails and use nail files to round off any sharp edges. Consider using rugs or mats in high-traffic areas. |
It’s important to note that individual dogs within these breeds may have varying nail characteristics, and proper nail care and maintenance are crucial regardless of breed. Regular nail trims, rounding off sharp edges, and using protective measures like nail caps or mats can help minimize the risk of damage to hardwood floors.
Consulting with a professional groomer or veterinarian for guidance on nail care can also be beneficial.
Final thoughts
Consider a strong, durable hardwood flooring option if you have a dog with a Janka rating of 1000 or more. Stay away from weaker, softer woods that will dent and scratch easier.
Don’t forget to keep your dog’s nails trimmed and clipped, professionally if necessary.
Consider both solid hardwood and engineered woods and decide what makes the most sense for you and meets your style and budget.
Also consider distressed wood as a flooring option. Because it’ll already have dents and scratches and other imperfections, any new ones caused by you or your dog will look natural!
And while we’re talking about damage caused by dogs, you and other humans can also do your part to protect your flooring:
- Don’t wear shoes inside the house. Pebbles and stones that get stuck to the soles are often the reason you get small dents and scratches.
- Especially don’t wear high heels around the house as they can wreak havoc on hardwood.
- Be careful when carrying heavy objects and try your best not to drop them.
- Avoid abrasive cleaners and any cleaning product that may scratch.
And if that’s not enough to ponder, the best wood to consider for a house that has a dog in it isn’t necessarily wood at all….
Consider a wood look tile option that looks like wood but is actually made from porcelain or ceramic.You may also consider a vinyl plank wood floor too.
