Boy howdy!
The choices are overwhelming!
I appreciate all of the comments and have read each one.
I have decided on the LVP. Listening to all of the pros and cons of each type has really helped me decide. For my lifestyle and location I think the LVP will be the best fit.
I have a sample and it does not look like plastic at all. I did have other samples that looked like cheap office flooring. I wonder if that is the type that looks more like plastic?
I guess time will tell! I plan to schedule the floor measurements to get an estimate. I’m prepared for sticker shock.
Now to pick out paint color.
We have Mannington LVP in a large master bedroom, and 1940 red oak HW flooring, random width with walnut pegs, in the main LR/DR area. We have had at least half a dozen contractors in the house over the last five years and not a single one has been able to tell that the master has LVP instead of HW. Neither can any of our guests.
I will say IF you do get dogs, you need to talk to the flooring store's rep - if it's a reputable dealer the reps should be knowledgeable about what they're selling - about nail scratches from pets. Some products are going to be better than others for resisting scratching - and one issue with LVP is that you can't refinish it. That's a factory-baked clear coat on top.
And you definitely want to have a product (any flooring other than poured) rated to resist wetness, with dogs. They have "accidents" when they're young and the same when they get old! It isn't the top layer, it's the underlying strata that can get damaged.
Flooring is indeed a very personal decision. If I had to buy a house with a concrete floor I'd immediately have to budget to cover it. I have back and foot issues and hard floors like that are a killer for me. OTOH I have friends who have a beautiful concrete flooring that was custom-colored for them and they love it, it's gorgeous (and stands up to their two big dogs, LOL).
Don't forget the cost of materials really isn't the biggest issue. It's the installation, and the QUALITY of the install, that is the most important, in any flooring.