I think there are benefits/disadvantages to getting a puppy or a dog. A puppy is like having a newborn...we got Layla (she is a boxer) when she was 9 weeks old, it was not fun the first few nights. I wanted her to sleep in a crate...Layla would cry all throughout the night, I didn't get ANY sleep. So I caved and let her sleep in bed with us. She was pretty easy to potty train and she has never been a big chewer so no problems there. She also doesn't bark and is not "high energy" as most people think boxers are. She is also under 50lbs (she was the runt of the litter). But my 14 month daughter plays with Layla ALL THE TIME! Recently, she thinks it is funny to pull on her nub (Boxers have their tails cut off shortly after they are born...so her tail is about 3 inches long). Layla takes all of the pulling VERY well. My daughter has even used Layla as a step ladder, Layla lays there and doesn't even move. We also had Layla before we had my daughter so I knew Layla was going to be easy going. But I think with most puppys you can train them to be what you want them to be...YOU have to be dedicated though, training classes are nice but nothing is learned if it is not reinforced.
Dogs are nice to get because they are usually already trained and they are older and not a puppy anymore. Although sometimes there will be an adjustment phase dogs go through, when they are older usually they have been with families before and you never know what they were treated like. I think it is absolutely wonderful to adopt from shelters or rescue groups. Those are the lives that you will save!! So many people want pure breds and puppies.
I have many friends that have dogs, some adopted older from shelter, some adopted puppies from shelters, some bought from breeders and some bought from pet stores. NEVER buy from a pet store!!! Regardless though, they all love their dogs as if they were their children. I couldn't imagine my life without Layla just as I couldn't imagine my life without my daughter. I will say this as I tell my husband this, a dog's love is truly unconditional and we as humans have a lot to learn from them.
Whatever decision you make, I wish you the best.