We are looking for a puppy to join our family, children 11 and 8.  Struggling to choose between above breeds, and wondered if anyone can help us by providing a bit more information.  Books we have read seem to contradict each other, but we just want to know which one makes the better family pet.  We would prefer to not have a totally 'hyper' dog, but good temperament is the most important thing of all, with children and with other dogs.

Many thanks, looking forward to some good advice.
Sallylou

You can probably rule out the field spaniel on the basis the kids may have left home before you get one :)  Both the other breeds would make the best family pet for the appropriate family as would any breed but as you say your particular family are looking for something down the hyper scale a little I would have said the Cocker might be the better choice.  Please make sure you buy from a responsible breeder though and the best source for one of them is via the Breed club

I've got a cocker spaniel puppy. I live at home and have a little brother who's 5. Alfie (puppy) has been fantastic with him and other children who come to visit, he can be very hyper but in short bursts as he sleeps a lot.
I have no experience with the other breeds you were considering but I can definately say that a cocker spaniel would make a fantastic pet for you. From what I've heard they're also very friendly with other dogs.

All 3 of these dogs have very good temprements and are both people and dog friendly. So in that respect make good family dogs.  They are by no means any sort of guard dog, so don't expect them to protect you unless very well trained. 

The springer is the most hyperactive of the three, you will need to be prepared to train, once trained they make wonderful dogs are highly intelligent and need their brains as well as bodies stimulated. They also enjoy lots of  good country walks and off lead runs. Hopefully you are in a place that can offer a good run off lead too.

The working cocker is another choice of dog, which is also an energetic dog, though not quite as hyper as a young springer and again very intelligent enjoys plenty of exercise, and make wonderful family pets.  Both the Springer and the Working Cocker are much quieter dogs, and only tend to bark when it is necessary. But neither are once around the block type of dogs, only go for these, if you enjoy good off the lead walks. Once exercised they quite happily sit around the house. As with the Springer these are very loyal, loving dogs.

The show cocker is a little more on the barky side out of these three dogs, but probably the calmest of the three as a pup. But it is more prone to ear problems and tends to fill out after 3 years as a family pet. It will not need as much exercise as the previous two breeds. Also please check your breeder for cocker rage, this can run in some of the solids of this breed. They are excellent family dogs and a very loving breed. I would have recommended the show cocker for a young family (not being as jumpy) but as your children are older the other two dogs would be fine too, though I always like my springers and working cockers in two's!

As long as you go to a good KC breeder, the temprements of the dogs will be good, but even so remember a dog is only as good and well behaved as it is trained, whichever breed you go for.

Hope I have been of some help.

Whoops forgot the Field Spaniel (got carried away with my cockers)  Again very similar in characteristic to the others in-between the Springer and the cocker size wise, needs more grooming than the springer and working cocker.  (Sorry never owned one of these, so not much help) As indicated by Isabel much more difficult to get hold of.

I have a 2 year old show cocker who's an absolute delight. Very bouncy and energetic, extremley loving both towards us humans and her canine sister, not overly bothered about other dogs, but not aggressive towards them either.She loves, and in my opinion , needs at least an hour off lead exercise everyday with trips out in between. A bright, happy dog who's very eager to please, but doesn't always get it right- in fact she can come across as a bit 'dippy'- ( she's a golden and has her 'blonde' moments- apologies to all you blondes out there, no offence). She doesn't bark a great deal, although will alert us to any outside noises, knocks at the door etc. Her coat does require time and money spending on it. I get her clipped every 12weeks or so and should really groom her ears, feathers and tail on a daily basis. She really needs her ears washing daily too as they tend to get a bit smelly.  She loves all things muddy- beware , these dogs love to wallow in the stuff, so you need to have an outside tap/hose or means to wash them down inside. Oh' and even if you can't spot any mud, they will!! She also loves swimming, and can find water how ever far away it is! 
The really lovely thing about her though is she's small enough to pick up and loves a cuddle from her Mum whatever time of day!  

The ones I have met have been delightful and without that to me irritating OTT manner of the Springer :D  Well worth the wait.

Have you thought of the Welsh Springer very attractive with smaller neater ears than a cocker, and a less frenetic temperament.  I have known members of this breed very well having had them stay with me, and are probably my favourite Spaniel breed.

Quite fancy a welshie myself...

Also you don't have the work/show division and they seem to still do OK in minor Spaniel trials.  they seem to be able to work and still make a dog you can happily live with :D