Jeff
Do as Todd suggests and get John's book, it is a great resource and gives great information on breeds, training, handler motivation etc etc.
As Curt suggests, look at past threads - several guys around here are seriously into this - I have posted several times about our pup this fall/winter as well.
My wife and I had been thinking a long time about a tracking dog and did A BUNCH of research before getting our pup. We went the Dachshund route (they are used VERY extensively in Europe for tracking) and were very careful with our choice of breeder to be sure to get a dog with good hunting/blood tracking bloodlines. There are a handful of breeders in the US serious about blood tracking dachshunds (or Teckels as they are called in Germany and France).
Be aware, developing a good tracking dog is a huge commitment, and be honest with yourself about how much time and effort you are willing to invest. You might be able to have a tracking dog and put him on 2 or 3 deer a year and be OK. To fully develop your animal, though, most people that are serious about tracking do way more tracks than that and give up substantial hunting time for it.
I know there are several folks with dogs in Ohio - you might want to contact one and meet thier dog and discuss this with them as well. I may be travelling to Zanesville, OH in the next couple weeks as the lady that bred our dog is delivering a pup to the area and I'd be glad to meet you there and talk more if not too far for you to drive.
We couldn't be happier with our little buddy and he's verging on spoiled (sleeps in the bed)
. I'm really glad we put in all the groundwork beforehand and got the right dog for us.
Ryan