Raised an sold over 175 lab pups in my time. The blood lines are important. The dog doesn’t know he is dog. Get a dog from a proven blood line . That’s a start.
Very important ... Pedigree and health clerances ... I have American and she excels in field and hunt tests as well as at home and will lay in my office for 10 hours a day and not make a peep ... go to train and she loves to do the work .... but go see the parents and decide what YOUR needs are in a working dog ... well trained either dog with good pedigree will pickup ducks ...
I have 4 American and 1 from Ireland. They were all easy to train. Size is a big difference the Americans are all 85-100lbs vs 65lbs. My dog with the bloodline from Ireland will retrieve all day, he would rather work than eat.
I have an English now and have had 3 Americans in the past. Not sure if it was something or not however my English was / is no where near as hyper as my Americans were. She is very calm and deliberate.
I always liked the smaller Labs. I think we Americans kinda got carried away with bigger is better. I don't think a Lab has to be 100lbs. If i was to get another one
i would look for a smaller size.
My American Lab is 52 pounds ... there's lots of options for a 70lb or less American lab with great pedigree ... I'm 6-3 and my boy is 6-5 I don't want or need a 100lb dog in mudboat or kayak no matter what breed