Im referring to a chessie below, but mine was a mix. Not a breed for everyone, and will hunt everything. Would not match the speed of the german dogs, and they wouldnt last against a chessie in the freezing cold water. More lab like, but a very different dog. Best breed? I dunno. Versatile? Absolutely.
I had a chesador - unofficial breed - half lab, half chesapeake bay retriever. Nose like a bloodhound, he would even bawl in his sleep. Natural blind retriever with that nose, if his nose went down and tail up on a trail, i would let him go and he always brought that bird back. Bulldozer in the brush. Caught many roosters that were hiding who wouldnt flush. Would sit all day with icicles hanging off him in freezing weather just watching the sky for ducks and geese - chessies have a double coat and are oily so water repels - he was dry under the ice coat. Brought back everything and anything I shot. Also liked to chase deer naturally so I took him deer hunting (surprising legal in CA). We jumped one buck in some thick brush. But during pheasant hunting in SD he would flush deer constantly. Thought he was on a pheasant and told him to get it, got a face full of porcupine quills. Hunted the next day. Got bit by a rattlesnake on the leg. Was slower, but kept hunting, would not let us leave him in the truck. Hated skunks and took 3 times to learn to stay away. He went after turkey too. Would even “point” kinda, he would get so excited when on top of a bird that wouldnt flush he would freeze - that was always fun. Great with kids and was fascinated by the smell of babies. Lazy like a lab at home but lived to hunt. Thats the good.
The bad: hated all other male dogs, got into many scraps. Loved female dogs, til they told him off. Stubborn as all hell but he minded me after a while. Oily, a little smelly - wife hated it, I didnt mind it. Wouldnt play fetch on land, only in water, but retrieved all birds - never understood that. Slow and steady, not winning a speed race to the bird. But he went all day.