Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Solid Hardwood -vs- Laminate Flooring??

Hello everyone,
I'm new here and I'm trying to decide the route to go in getting wood flooring. I was going to get the solid hardwood at HD but was told that the laminated was stronger and more durable. To me this just seems all wrong as I understand it's nothing more of an image of wood glued on to cheaper wood.

Anyway here are some facts that may be of assistance in helping me:
1. I live in Central Florida near the Gulf. Can get humid at times.
2. I have now carpet that is badly worn and has seen it's day. Also lot of pet stains from 4 dogs when they were still puppies.
3. Again I have 4 dogs, 2 Boston Terriers, 1 White Highland Westlie and 1 Australian Cattle Dog! Right now they are Potty trained to a certain degree. No more wetting but everyone in a while I find a load of crap. Maybe this is because of previous mishaps? They smell and then go!:(
4. I believe that under the carpet its just a concrete floor.
Do I also need to install a plywood under floor then the moisture plastic protection plus a soft padding to walk on?
5. What would be best for me, the Solid Hardwood or the Laminated Flooring??

Also I'm tired of pressed wood that just falls apart when it get humid or has moisture around it. Any help you can share with me would be greatly appreciated.
Thomas :coffee: and :wall:

Thomas - welcome to the forums. I moved your post out to stand by itself so that the odds of someone seeing it and posting the information you seek are higher.

If you get wood, solid or engineered, you better get something with some rustic character, like a handscraped or distressed, as the dogs toenails will give that floor some good character in no time.

Fake plastic laminate, will hold up to the dogs better, but will hurt the value of your home, as laminate is considered a disposable floor, like carpet, or sheet vinyl.

Thomas - welcome to the forums. I moved your post out to stand by itself so that the odds of someone seeing it and posting the information you seek are higher.

Thank you Mitch, I was trying to find the right place to put my inquire but didn't see where I could start a new thread. Then I noticed this for me:
You may not post new threads
You may post replies
You may not post attachments
You may edit your posts
I quess this is because I'm a new member. Thanks for putting me here I think it will help.
Thomas:)
p.s.
Now I see I can add new post :)

If you get wood, solid or engineered, you better get something with some rustic character, like a handscraped or distressed, as the dogs toenails will give that floor some good character in no time.

Fake plastic laminate, will hold up to the dogs better, but will hurt the value of your home, as laminate is considered a disposable floor, like carpet, or sheet vinyl.
I think that the real wood flooring I would be happier with then thinking of having laminate or disposable flooring. It is going over a Florida concrete floor and I would be getting the plastic moisture protection sheet. Would I still need a plywood sub floor too?

You know in one of the rooms I'm putting the flooring in is my office. I had at one time this office furniture that I got from Office Depot. It was pressed wood and it started to fall apart like lose sawdust! Seems thats the image in my mind when I think of laminated flooring, I think of saw dust. Yet the lady at HD says it's better!! Just don't want to invest a lot of money and in a couple of years see that I made a mistake!

Thanks,
Thomas