I just lost my AWS before Christmas after 14 years together. I couldn't have asked for a better dog, but I did learn a lot about "what I should have done better" in his later years. He was very family friendly, in fact I'd say "family protective".

Now I have a Boykin, and he's also a terrific dog.

Either breed needs lots of exercise, lots of socializing with other dogs and lots of people. And, they have entirely different habits and traits. Either one makes a great waterfowl dog, but what kind of waterfowl and where do you live? How late into the year do you hunt (how cold is the water?) what kind of water do you hunt in?