Ok, thank you all for the help. The info I get from Chaz is exactly the reason I ask here instead of trusting any random online opinion.
If GSDs and Rotties shed a ton, even in hot climates, then I will look for a different breed. And I do see Laurelin's point about renting, even in the future.
SevenSins: It's not that I COULDN'T handle Cthulhu around other dogs. I never got the chance. I was looking into a lot of different ways of helping him get over his dog anxiety. When the incident happened, he had gotten out the door when I was going to do laundry. He had done that a few times, but without problems. This time, my neighbor happened to be taking her dog for a walk at the same time. You have to understand that Cthulhu was already a year old, and had been through two shelters. He was attacked by other dogs at at least one of them. He was extremely terrified of other dogs, big or small. I was intent on doing everything I possibly could to help him through this, and before I could implement any methods this all happened.
blackrose: I like Boxers, but I'm not in love with them. Don't ask, I'm strange. Same thing with Greyhounds. As for Schnauzers, Erin and I are both really unsure if we want a dog that's going to have similar appearance to Cthulhu.
Please stop thinking I'm such a terrible owner. I'm really not, I swear. I appreciate everybody's input. Erin and I have discussed some more, and we think we're a little too upset right now to be choosing another dog. As much as we hate not having one around, we can't afford to adopt until August anyway, so that gives us some time. I'll probably be back on here between now and then to get some advice on breeds and such.
Until then, let me ask this. Is it easier in general to train a dog if you adopt a puppy? I'm the first to admit that I'm not an experienced dog owner. So it would seem that adopting a puppy would give me a "clean-slate" to work with. Cthulhu already had his behaviors (both good and bad) established.