Vic, if you decide to go with the Lab mix pup, there are things you can do with the pup as a baby to "switch on" whatever genetic potential is there. ( I would do this with any pup, even one of best breeding!)

1. Try "spitting kibbles" as a daily game with the pup. ( Raise the pup a little on the hungry side. Don't overfeed and raise a fat pup.)

Starting when the pup is a baby, spit kibbles (always singles) on to the floor to the pup. The pup will quickly learn to look at your face, where the kibbles are coming from. (Training the pup to look at you is important for future training!)

As the pup matures, spit the kibble away from the pup so he has to mark it and hunt for it. (Keep it easy!)

When the pup is old enough, move outside, and gradually into cover, a little higher grass, flower beds, etc. (Ensure success. If the pup can't find a kibble, surrepticiously drop one or two so he always succeeds) Outside you might want to move to big kibbles for the game so you can get more air behind it and more distance.

Don't be in a hurry to stop the kibble game. You might want to continue for awhile even after you have moved to throwing a dummy for the pup.

2. From the time the pup is a baby, take it for age appropriate walks. Walk where there is age appropriate cover, little hills to waddle over, etc. (Challenge the pup just a little. Don't overdo it and discourage the pup!) As the pup grows up and you have taught it to come when called, call him in when he gets out beyond the range you want him to hunt.

Walking on city side walks won't accomplish what you want. You want to walk the pup where it can range out and hunt for smelly little critters and move through cover.

Any pup is a crap shoot. The odds are much better with good breeding, but it's still a crap shoot. Like wsu and gsiegel said, there is always a possibility you can end up with a great hunting dog from mixed breeding.

Good luck!