Chesapeake or Labrador? It really does not make as much difference as people would have you believe.....
I put this ammunition box next to a cleaned teal for size comparison, not to suggest that I use this for teal. I use this ammunition for ALL ducks, as well as pheasant, grouse, woodcock, snipe, rails, and mourning doves. Although I will say I have not hunted eider and scoters offshore, at least in recent history.
A better graphic of size scale, is the same teal next to a cleaned woodcock. Below...
Above: I never claim my dogs are perfect and I think others need to tone it down. Although the teal looks more like it came from a grocery store, the woodcock has a gash that looks like it is either a pellet (bullet) or the dog bit down too hard. Of course, since the skin of the teal is not removed, some K-9 error is hidden.... I do not blame the new hunters, but those that represent themselves as mentors, that neglect to address that since these are not birds killed in a slaughterhouse, the way you process and cook the bird is dictated by its condition. There are almost always ways to salvage meat or trim around damaged parts. I have even sliced off meat so that tooth or bullet holes disappear - the result is merely a slightly thinner piece of meat. The meat is salvaged and the ugly part out of sight and mind......
Upland Hunters waste just as much time as waterfowl hunters debating which breed is best. I love them both! Below: But that pheasant dog needs to get into the heavy cover without being told. Photos out in the open, like the one below are popular, but don't reflect the importance of a dog getting into that cover. Pheasant do not tolerate people talking or whistling. The more your dog can do without direction from you the better!
ABOVE: It's NOT "all about the dog".... It's about teamwork and partnership. Hunting without a dog just does not do it for me. But I am not out there "for the dog". Nor I am I interested in impressing others with my dog(s) or competing with other sportsmen. Dogs, like people, particularly men and boys, are by nature competitive. However, so-called pro-breeders have exasperated this trait to the point it has compromised (not improved) hunting dogs. Although socializing dogs to other dogs is a must, dogs know when its a competition, either at a event such as a field trial or hunting test (don't bother to tell me tests do not have an aura of competition) or if you want to one-up the guy you are hunting with, or hunters across the field. All the ego and competition has had negative effects on not only hunting, but also hunters and hunting dogs, not to mention public perception, interest, and acceptance toward hunting.
Instead, return hunting to it's basic form. Hunt for the frying pan. Your hunting companions are not competitors or objects to impress.... Your hunting dogs are family, when they make mistakes they are doing their best to help out just like your other hunting companions should be. It's all about getting the birds in the frying pan!