Perhaps you should ask yourself why you want a dog?
Are you willing to spend all of your paycheck on a vet if that dog ever has an accident or a severe illness?
Are you willing to make sure it stays groomed? Is trained properly? Isn't picked on by other people? How about feeding it well? Making sure it's properly exercised, and stimulated?
All of those things take time and money, more than ANYONE can ever tell you, until you do spend your paychecks on vet visits, or go out in -35 weather to walk an antsy dog.
Dogs aren't just about cuteness, being quiet, or being adorable. They are work - occasionally HARD WORK. I keep a smaller pit mix (who is in my icon) and even when I am having massive problems with my asthma and it's 8degrees outside I am outside walking him two or three times a day. I spend my paychecks on highquality food and toys. I am planning on putting my tax return towards his next round of obedience classes and vet visit.
I am well aware of the fact that because he is a pit mix, there are places I will never be able to go with him (denver), things I won't be able to do (dog parks), and vacations I won't be able to take because he needs my care and money and attention.
If you aren't willing right now to spend $100+ a month on a dog, or spend at least 2 or 3 hours a day with your potential dog, or you can't even begin to imagine what it will be like to have that dog for 10 years or more... then you aren't ready to own a dog.
They are not low maintenance easy care animals, and every breed has their "problem" features - barks, high maintenance coats, stubborn, health problems up the wazoo, high exercise drives etc. Dogs are rewarding to have, I will always have a friend and confidante, but they aren't easy either.
