Try calling them a "retriever" instead of a "lab". Couldn't hurt. People used to get around the "No pit bulls" thing by calling them "terriers" instead.
Seriously, though, it IS hard to rent with dogs. 
And, in all honesty, after having our rental house TRASHED by dogs and cats alike, I can see why people are reluctant. We would have had to asked for a $2000+ pet deposit to pay for the damage those pets caused. And they were nice pets, seemed well-trained, etc. I think they were simply left alone in the house for far, far too long by themselves. 
Could you get a certification on your dogs, like the canine good citizen certification? How about letters of recommendation from your vet, kennel, groomer, current or previous landlords. That sometimes helps a lot.
"We give dogs the time we can spare, the space we can spare and the love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made" - M. Facklam
"We are raised to honor all the wrong explorers and discoverers - thieves planting flags, murderers carrying crosses. Let us at last praise the colonizers of dreams."- P.S. Beagle
"All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. From the ashes a fire shall be woken, A light from the shadows shall spring; Renewed shall be blade that was broken, The crownless again shall be king." - J.R.R. Tolkien
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