Yes, head on over to the UK Labrador forums and you will see some amazing working Labs, you wouldn't buy a whippet you want to work from a pet breeder, no one would and it's the same with every working dog type. There is no harm in them going to pet homes at all, the border collie is now everywhere, my pack stands at four, three working and one rescued pet and you can pick out the pet in a second.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/learnin_curve/5776293397/