I have an 8 month old ESS. My very first family dog as a child was one and a close friend of the family bred/showed/judged them back in the 70s/80s and still had the last generation as pets when I was young. They were all such wonderful dogs around children and I would always be found with one of the dogs (sometimes just sat in their bed with them).
I have loved the breed ever since and, for me, they define what dogs are.
I haven't had one since - we had further dogs but all were rescue so different breeds. When I decided to get a dog (my first 'own' dog for many years) it had to be a Springer.
I adore him. He is all kinds of mad and so much trouble sometimes but he is also everlastingly friendly and enthusiastic for life, funny and loving. He is happy from the moment the alarm goes off in the morning until the last moment of the day when he lollops off to sleep.
Right now he is snoozing behind me after a full on morning but I just know if I stood up and said "right, let's go and do something", he'd be up and ready to go in an instant.
There are a number of other breeds I like and would happily have if I were to get another dog. But this breed (and this dog) are very special to me indeed.
p.s. that tail, though! Back when I was young all springers were docked so we never had one with a tail. This springer's tail is both a dangerous weapon of mass destruction and a wonder to behold 