@pax I am also a cane user, but I often ask people about their guide dog experiences. Overall, they say walking is more fluid. A cane is meant to find obstacles, while a dog is meant to avoid them. I personally like my cane finding obstacles since they can also serve as landmarks or clues, but when walking a familiar route, I sometimes wish I could breeze right past them like a dog handler can.
As a cane user, there is a lot I can't imagine doing with only a guide dog. But I know that's only because I haven't experienced it myself. I'm sure there's a way to navigate unfamiliar areas, even if I don't understand it.