Lola, please don't think twice about living in The Villages with dogs. The percentage of people that complain about dogs will be the same, small, snarly percent as in other towns. And they are the same people that whine about saving seats in the squares, or whine about the newspaper, or just whine to whine. LOL
I love dogs. I have cats now and will (as soon as circumstances allow) have a puppy. You'll see many happy dogs and dog owners at the post boxes when you go to pick up your mail, or sitting outside with their owners at the restaurants, or at the dog parks, which are absolutely wonderful. And yes, the courtyard villa would certainly be the way to go.
Please believe me when I tell you, you'll love it here and so will your doggies!