There's a lot of opinion based on what the individual likes but the question is why are you not a fan of the lab first off and secondly what kind of bird's you want to hunt? With out answer's to those question's you can't get a real good answer. The belief here seem's to be your a duck hunter, I don't recall you saying that. One gentleman seem's to think you mean upland game birds, a GSP is no match for a Labrador in a duck blind, although it can do it.