Scratch resistant wood flooring?

Question:I am going to install wood flooring soon and need to know what is the best flooring around but hopefully under 3/ft. I have two large dogs so it needs to be as scratch resistant as possible. I need dark wood and I dont want laminant. Any sugestions and please paste references.

Answers:
If you're going with a solid hardwood, go with red oak. Your dogs are going to mar it with their nails regardless of the finish, but you'll have a better go of it if you use an oil varnish on it that's made for gymnasium floors. Home Depot sells one for about $20/gallon and my 2 labs and Sheltie have yet to destroy it.