For some reason in the USA everyone thinks a bird has to be pointed to be shot and for some arcane reason this is better. I had a Lab for my first hunting dog. We shot every game bird one could shoot in the western US, even birds one is suppose to shoot over pointers (chukar and gray partridge). A Lab will find and flush as many graouse as you want to shoot. If you are "illiterate" and can't read your dog, you won't be ready for a shot, but most people can.
A Lab is a wonderful choice for what you are trying to do. One doesn't need a different breed than a Lab to hunt with. I likeChessies and terriers morejust becasue the Lab is so ubiquitous but you won't make a mistake. The thing to remember is if you train for retrieving you get upland hunting as a "free lunch". This is what James B Spencer stated in a number of his"Retrieve" columns in Gun Dog Magazine. If your dog can sit on the whistle (every time), come (every time) you can cut the Lab lose and let it hunt and you can keep it in gun range and shoot birds. The Lab marks better than a PP, GSP, or GWP.This means yourLab will retrieve the ducks better,IT'S WHAT THEY DO. IT'S THEIR REASON FOR EXISTENCE. Buy the Lab. You will be happy.

DrFatguy