 Labradors are powerful and indefatigable swimmers noted for their ability to tolerate the coldest of water for extended periods of time . Their ability to work quietly alongside hunters while watching for birds to fall from the sky , marking where they land , and then using their outstanding nose to find and retrieve dead or wounded birds has made them the king of waterfowl retrievers . They are also used for pointing and flushing and make excellent upland game hunting partners . 
