Sounds like you have never had a working dog before,
So my advice is to get a black lab from working stock .
Easy to train and have a steady pace, Watch out for chewing when left alone .
P.S i have had 2 ESS and 2 cockers i know the trouble they cause so that is why i advised a lab , now have a ESS and a border terrier[i also used to have lots of HAIR !]