My goodness there are times when i have wished our cavvie was more laid back lol, he would quite happily play ALL day! Yet our staffie was the most lazy dog ever!

I guess I am lucky?

Having said that, I have a weirdo Cavalier. She loves rain & suddenly isn't so laid-back when walking in it. ;)

My Cavalier lives with an Alaskan Malamute and although they are two very different breeds, they are the best of friends and Gypsy (the Cavalier) is the boss and often puts Samoui in her place. Although Gypsy is very loving and loyal I am sure she thinks she is a gundog at times. She will chase anything and loves going into the woods to find things to chase. However she is one Cavalier that definitely doesn't like rain - I took her out this afternoon with my friend and her Toy Poodle and you should have heard the two of them, they were whining all the way like old ladies because they were getting wet!!

That sounds like a normal Cavalier to me. :D

I think I have got a retriever in disguise. She loves walks, sniffing, rain, retrieving & everything else in the world!!

Don't know much about Tollers, but I have known a few flat coats (and there is one marauding about behind me at present!).  It is subjective, but I wouldn't say any of the ones I've met were manic. I would say active, energetic, and most importantly wanting to be involved in everything - they like to know what's going on and very much be part of it. Flatties are a dual-purpose breed, but some have more worky blood behind them than others which tends to make them a bit busier. Duibh does lie down and sleep, but never seems to 'switch off', if you know what I mean.  And they're more the sort of dogs that want to be next to you or round you all the time - next to you on the sofa or by your feet - and all the ones I've met have been very exuberant and licky - full of joie de vivre. :) I've got friends with 4 flatties & a golden, and they always seem to be on the go - not manically, but just 'doing' and showing an interest. Hope that makes sense. :)

Since we are meant to be seeing how advice progresses I thought I would help out!

I think I have gone off the idea of gundogs at this moment in time. My dog is of a disposition & size that would not benefit from a big dog with "giddy" tendencies, however well intended. So I have been looking at the Rough Collie. They are of a similar disposition as to my dog & are bigger without being too big. I can deal with the coat & they are not too demanding.

However, I realised how important my CKCS is to me & I cannot do without her so before the Rough, I intend to get a second CKCS & intend to have two CKCS forevermore with the hope of being the base for whatever, if anything else, I bring home.

Thank you everyone - I wish I had room for each one of those suggested. :)