Spaniels - What type is best for a family pet?

[cljp2]

I am looking for a family pet and want to know which type would be a loving and loyal family pet for me and my daughter.

[greensea_lady]

I like springers, cockers may develop eye problems in old age and have been known to get cranky with children

[loveisokay]

Depends on what exercise levels suit you & so on. Springers are, as you can imagine from their name, very energetic. Cockers aren't as much but they are still a working breed so will need a fair amount. You've also got your less famous Brittany, Welsh, Clumber & so on spaniels. Most of those are more enegetic than the Springer!

Personally, since I have one, I like the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. She's small, she is very easy to train (I taught her "play dead" yesterday within an hour), she ADORES people especially children, letting my four year old niece carry her around like a teddy & never ever snapping in a temper. She gets on very well with my parents' cat & is a general joy to have around! Since she is a toy breed she doesn't require too much exercise. The only real downside is that Cavaliers are very very popular family pets & as a result a lot of breeders take advantage of this fact & through very poor breeding have caused a lot of hereditary diseases in the breed - most breeds need health checks anyway, but with this breed especially so such as HVD. A Cavalier should never ever be aggressive & are rarely yappy so don't expect any sort of protection from having them in the house!

[Charlie]

i had a cavelier king charles spaniel when i was young. they are so fun and loving.