I bet they aren’t as high as $190 (which you asked about in a previous question).
Most shelters are very reputable places and truly desire to help both pets and people.
I don’t know where you live or how many shelters are within feasible driving distance but here’s a few ideas.
Get on the phone and see if there are any shelters which have adoption counselirs on site.
It sounds like you’re probably a first time pet adopted. These folks are trained to ask a lot of questions so that they can best help you to figure out which type of dog would be best suited for your life.
And a good shelter will also have a quiet area where you can spend a little time with dogs which you feel drawn to and get to know their personality a bit before deciding.
You might also want to consider a young dog (1–2 yrs. old) who is already potty trained rather than a puppy. This way you get all the fun without the hassle. Puppies need a lot of time and attention to hpusebreak properly.
Anyhow, there are tons of great dogs available in shelters. Some are there for no other reason than this poor economy with limited jobs is forcing some folks to surrender their dogs. It’s not the dogs fault.
Spend some time over the next few weeks getting to know the shelters in your area and the dogs which are available there.
Also keep in mind that regardless of where you get a dog, an initial vet check, vaccinations, neutering etc. etc. are going to cost money.
A lot of shelters do the initial vaccines and testing for diseases so their fees are well worth it. They can also set you up for low cost spay/ neutering which is available in EVERY area.
Take your time, get advice from shelter counselors and get ready to love and enjoy your new friend. Shelters are wonderful places to help you with all of it and you are saving a life.