Newbie starting to think about a dog

cward;
I'm over here in Aggie land.College Station.I am just to the point of thinking about getting a dog,BUT not as of yet.I want to keep going to the bay contest and keep going to all the events I can and learn all I can before I get a dog.
Yeah I know about the loss of a dog.It hurts just to see my friends dogs get hurt.I watched him have to put one down and that part (just being honest) did not like that part to much-but hey its hunting.I am to old to go running through the woods chasing hogs in the heat of the day or chasing them for miles through the woods.I use to run beagles,lost a few and it didnt matter how close or not-it hurt.I grew up in the Valley (Harlingen) hunting hogs on the river with Pitt Bulls etc etc.I like hunting them pigs with or without a dog.I just dont want to get a dog and know nothing about the do's and donts of hog dogs.Thanks for the reply.