Fostering is a wonderful way to learn about life with a dog, but the catch 22 is that it might be difficult to find someone who will let you foster if you don’t have much experience with dogs - unless you happen to have a friend who works with a shelter or rescue group.
slice has a good plan:
Additionally, if you make it known among your friends that you are available for free petsitting for hte next few months, you could learn a lot.
I may be coming to this thread too late, if you’ve decided to hold off on getting a dog. But if you ever come around again… I’d recommend the Miniature Pinscher. A very intelligent, playful, healthy, adaptable, and affectionate dog. Very good-looking, too. It’s a good watchdog in that it will bark at strangers, but is generally quiet around the home.
I have two, and they’ve been great.
As others have said, floor time with you is important in the early months for any breed.
[hijack]Affectionae? Where’d you find a MinPin that was affectionate? I’ve never been around any that weren’t yarky little land sharks. I realize that a lot of that is due to the way people tend to raise them, but it seems odd to me that I’ve never met any that weren’t absolute buttheads. [/hijack]
I’d also like to add that if you decide to go with a purebred, try to find a breeder who’ll try to talk you out of getting the dog. Someone who can and will tell you about common trouble spots with a particular breed is truly concerned about making sure you’re truly equipped to provide the dog with a happy, healthy home. Shelters take in an awful lot of animals every year because the owner didn’t consider or didn’t know about the potential problems with the breed, and a good, responsible breeder tries to prevent that.
I think you can surmise my feelings on the topic.
I just wanted to second the greyhound idea. I have lived with Border Collies all my life, and although they make great pets for those that have time and energy, most wouldn’t be able to cope with that.
Greyhounds on the other hand are affectionate dogs that don’t need much exercise (at least not as much as a collie), and there are always loads that are left unwanted at shelters.
Also, getting two dogs is not such a bad idea, as I personally think that it is not a huge amount more work than one (although that depends on their personalities :))
I would like commend the fact that you have decided to think this through so thoroughly before doing anything, as it is an enormous commitment. Too many people jump into getting a dog, and it is the dog that suffers.
I would love to have a dog (damn you for making me think about it again!), and miss the ones that live with my parents, but intellectually I know I just don’t have the time at the moment. I guess I will just have to make do with my budgies for the moment 
**CrazyCatLady **- I suppose it’s because you were a “stranger” as far as the dog was concerned, as opposed to being the loveable pet human the dogs were accustomed to. Ours are buttheads to strange people, but very good with those who are clearly welcome in the house and/or Inner Circle.
Thanks again for the replies. If I come across the right dog, I will get him/her. Thanks El Mariachi Loco, I’ll look at the MinPin as well. Also from what I have seen and heard I think I will go for a mix rather than a purebread mainly because purebreads seem to have more health problems.