Please help me find a suitable companion

I have the chronic illness ME and after being on the waiting list of an assistence dog charity for 18 months was partnered with a Standard Poodle. To my severe disappointment I found the residential training and then the ongoing training and exercise needs of this dog were too much for me and the partnership had to end early on. I had very quickly come to love the Poodle who was affectionate and a real character so am now incredibly sad at loosing him. I feel I have also lost a dream that over the past few years of this horrid illness kept me going.

Can Dogs Today readers give me any hope that there is a suitable dog for someone like me with chronic fatigue? The Poodle was chosen because I also get asthma sometimes with animal hair. However my experience with a Poodle suggests that their exercise and training needs are likely to always be more than I can manage. Would a Greyhound be a better choice as I understand their exercise needs are moderate in comparison? I very much want an affectionate dog that will join me on gentle daily walks, either on lead or off lead but with good recall.

Yours

Alexandra Muir-Mackenzie, by email