America's Duck Dog: The Labrador Retriever

The Labrador retriever is the most well-known of all the sporting group breeds, so much so that it is commonly seen as a family pet rather than a working dog. But make no mistake: While the house-pet version can be a couch potato, the broad-headed, burly Lab is never happier than when working in the field like his bloodlines dictate. Few other breeds can match the energy levels and bird drive inherent to the Lab, which make him almost unanimously a waterfowler's best friend.