I have hunted pheasants and prairie grouse with some very capable labs. If those birds were my intended quarry and I wanted a retriever, I would go with a lab.
I have tried a a couple of pointing labs over the years, but was disappointed in their performance. Back in those days, though, they were a novelty and there were not many breeders.
These days, I need an old man's dog and my current pupil is a French Brittany. Unfortunately, she has a lot more energy than any setter or retriever that I have ever owned. She is also a lot smarter than me.
