Same issues here: We had tile and carpet everywhere. Also live in the country, have two large inside dogs and small grandchildren. My husband & dogs are in and out constantly so taking off shoes is NOT an option. We also live on a gravel/tar/oil road. We ripped out all the carpet except the master bedroom and office/entry as the latter is on a slab (former front porch) We were actually thinking of going wide plank pine with square nails and letting it "weather" the dents and scratches, but decided we didn't want the maintenance of tung oil into our 70s or 80s. We replaced it with sheet vinyl in the bathrooms and snap together vinyl laminate in the rest of the house. It lays on a floating sheet of a "foam like material like a thin bubble wrap", which makes it quieter and softer on the feet. It is a warm brown but not walnut and looks and has the texture of wood. We purchased it at Lowe's and it will not be ruined or warped by water from the dog bowl or a dishwasher leak. We have had it for two years now and love it.
We did put a large inexpensive area rug under the dining room table and in the seating area of the living room. Here is a picture[ATTACH=CONFIG]583810[/ATTACH]as it was being installed in my sewing room and down the hall.