I'm raising our first springer after owning several labs. Labs are sweet dogs and great hunting partners as are many of my friends' setters and pointers. However, none of them that I've been around had the drive, the personality, the bird nose, or the flamboyant reckless courage that our springer has. At 35 pounds she would retrieve an oil drum if I could throw it. She is great around the house and her tail has never stopped wagging since we picked her up. I don't have my new Shooting Sportsman yet but can't wait to see the ESS on the cover. I love these dogs.