Hi Daniel,
The reason everyone recommends a dobsonian telescope is basically because they are the
easiest to mount. They are also the most cost effective type of mount (the stability per dollar spent ratio).
As a beginner you are unlikely to spend the $$$ required to get a sufficiently stable tripod for a refractor, and the eyepiece in a refractor can easily end up uncomfortably low for looking through.
And acropolite is right. You might be disappointed by the limited aperture in a refractor.
Anyway, the easiest way to find out what suits you is to go along to a club and try out everyone else's.
Cheers & Welcome,
Brian.
PS Don't forget to read the superb articles (ahem
) written about buying a first telescope in the Projects and Articles section.