OUR PHILOSOPHY

At Quick Trigger Kennels, we focus on the 4 P’s for our Labradors:

Pedigree, Preservation, Performance and Personality

Pedigree – Our sires and dams come from Quality Purebred Labradors with hunting titled backgrounds

    1. Each one of our litters are carefully planned out and selected for the right look and conformation as well as a pedigree loaded with Field Champion and National Field Champion bloodlines. Other excellent titles included in our dogs’ pedigrees include QAA, QA2, Master Hunters, HRCH, BDC and other titles.
    2. Our Dams and Sires pedigrees have 5 generations of Titled parentage
  • Titles in pedigrees show that the lines are proven trained dogs that can compete and excel at the highest levels and show the intelligence and trainability of the lines.

Preservation – Preserving the PUREBRED Quality Labrador by thoroughly genetic testing and health testing our dogs to attempt to ensure we only produce superior healthy Labradors.

a.     Quick Trigger Kennels genetically test their breeding dogs with available DNA tests for the inheritable diseases that Labradors have to date.

  1. These Genetic Tests are performed by PawPrint Genetics and/or Embark. The results for the tests are available for review on each of the dogs tab.  Quick Trigger Kennels breeding dogs will be CLEAR of the following 23 genetic abnormalities and diseases that includes all three genetic panels of the labradors breed at Paw Print Genetics:
  1. Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM)
  2. Chondrodystrophy with Intervertebral Disc Disease Risk Factor (CDDY with IVDD)
  3. Cone Degeneration (Labrador Retriever Type)
  4. Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (Labrador Retriever Type)
  5. Copper Toxicosis (Labrador Retriever Type) ATP7A
  6. Copper Toxicosis (Labrador Retriever Type) ATP7B
  7. Cystinuria (Labrador Retriever Type)
  8. Degenerative Myelopathy (DM Common Variant)
  9. Elliptocytosis
  10. Exercise-Induced Collapse EIC
  11. Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis HNPK (Labrador Retriever Type)
  12. Hyperuricosuria
  13. Ichthyosis (Golden Retriever Type 1)
  14. Macular Corneal Dystrophy (Labrador Retriever Type)
  15. Myotubular Myopathy 1 (Labrador Retriever Type)
  16. Narcolepsy (Labrador Retriever Type)
  17. Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRA Cone-Rod Dystrophy 4
  18. Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Golden Retriever 2
  19. Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration
  20. Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (Labrador Retriever Type)
  21. Retinal Dysplasia/Oculoskeletal Dysplasia 1
  22. Skeletal Dysplasia 2
  23. Stargardt Disease

      1. D-Dilute – Quick Trigger Kennels tests for the dilute gene to make sure we will never own or produce a dilute carrier or affected dog. We do not support the breeding of silver labs, charcoal or any dilute carrier.  We strongly believe in preserving the PUREBRED Labrador Retriever.

b. Hips, Elbows and Eyes: Hips are cleared by Penn Hip or Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA). We submit hip and elbow x-rays as well as CERF (eye) exams to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).

  1. Quick Trigger Kennels breeding dogs all have their Hips, Elbows and Eyes evaluated and cleared by Penn Hip or OFA.Each of QTK’s dogs clearances can be found on their specific page.
  2. Each of our dogs are evaluated by a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist who evaluates the eyes for any abnormalities.
  3. Our dogs’ clearances for the HIPS and ELBOWS are graded EXCELLENT or GOOD.  This informs us that the dog’s chance of obtaining Osteoarthritis is at a minimal risk.  Therefore, breeding dogs with Excellent or Good Hips/Elbows is our further attempt to produce top quality puppies without potential physical problems.  We can reduce the incidence and severity of Canine Hip Dysplasia in future generations of dogs by applying breeding selection of quality dogs towards tighter hips which is why we go through the rigorous health testing of our dogs.  Here is some information on the AIS PennHIP and OFA processes that our dogs go through for our breeding program.

AIS PennHIP – Hip Improvement Program The research-based hip-screening procedure known as PennHIP has proven to be the most accurate and precise method to measure hip laxity. It can identify—as early as 16 weeks of age—dogs that are susceptible to developing hip dysplasia. This offers breeders the opportunity to make early decisions on breeding stock and allows veterinarians to advise pet owners on lifestyle adjustments and preventive strategies to minimize the pain and progression of the disease.

  1. THE PennHIP PROCEDURE There are two principal innovations in the PennHIP method. First, the dog is positioned on the x-ray table with hips in a neutral orientation, and second, a custom distraction device is applied to reveal the maximum amount of hip laxity. To achieve this, the dog’s muscles are completely relaxed by administering sedation or general anesthesia.
  2. A complete PennHIP evaluation includes office consultation, sedation/anesthesia, and submission of the three PennHIP radiographs to ANTECH Imaging Services for evaluation. PennHIP is the most accurate hip screening method available and can be safely performed on dogs as young as 16 weeks of age. An early estimate of a dog’s hip integrity is invaluable, whether the dog’s intended purpose is for breeding, working or a family pet.
  3. For breeders Information compiled in PennHIP’s international database permits informed selection of breeding stock based on hip tightness relative to other members of the same breed.Breeders can reduce the incidence and severity of Canine Hip Dysplasia in future generations of dogs by applying selection pressure towards tighter hips.  Among current hip screening methods, PennHIP has the highest heritability value to bring about these genetic changes.

OFA Testing Process:

  1. Radiographs submitted to the OFA should follow the American Veterinary Medical Association recommendations for positioning. This view is accepted worldwide for the detection and assessment of hip joint irregularities and secondary arthritic hip joint changes. To obtain this view, the animal must be placed on its back in dorsal recumbency with the rear limbs extended and parallel to each other. The knees (stifles) are rotated internally and the pelvis is symmetric. Chemical restraint (anesthesia) to the point of relaxation is recommended.
  2. The OFA classifies hips into seven different categories: Excellent, Good, Fair (all within Normal limits), Borderline, and then Mild, Moderate, or Severe (the last three considered Dysplastic).
 

Hip Screening: Grade Classifications

  1. Excellent: Superior conformation; there is a deep-seated ball (femoral head) that fits tightly into a well-formed socket (acetabulum) with minimal joint space. This classification is assigned for superior conformation in comparison to other animals of the same age and breed. There is a deep seated ball (femoral head) which fits tightly into a well-formed socket (acetabulum) with minimal joint space. There is almost complete coverage of the socket over the ball.
  2. Good: Slightly less than superior but a well-formed congruent hip joint is visualized. The ball fits well into the socket and good coverage is present. Good is slightly less than superior but a well-formed congruent hip joint is visualized. The ball fits well into the socket and good coverage is present.
  3. Fair: Minor irregularities; the hip joint is wider than a good hip. The ball slips slightly out of the socket. The socket may also appear slightly shallow.

 

The hip grades of excellent, good and fair are within normal limits and are given OFA numbers. This information is accepted by AKC on dogs with permanent identification and is in the public domain. Once each of the radiologists classifies the hip into one of the 7 phenotypes Excellent to Severe, the final hip grade is decided by a consensus of the 3 independent outside evaluations. Examples would be:

  1. Two radiologists reported Excellent, one Good—the final grade would be Excellent
  2. One radiologist reported Excellent, one Good, one Fair—the final grade would be Good
  3. One radiologist reported Fair, two radiologists reported Mild—the final grade would be Mild
  4. The hip grades of Excellent, Good and Fair are within normal limits and are given OFA numbers. This information is accepted by AKC on dogs with permanent identification (tattoo, microchip) and is in the public domain.

 

Performance – Quick Trigger Kennels’ dogs’ performance can be measured in the field, in the training yard and in the home. 

    1. Our dogs have the traits of tractability, intelligence, ambition, training toughness, natural inclination to mark, to line, and to cast, sensitivity to smell and ability to use it wisely, and excitement/desire to train and perform.
    2. Our dogs and puppy’s trainability will provide them the level of performance to compete in in field trials, hunt tests, in upland tests. Our dogs naturally have the “Desire”- the strength of their motivation to retrieve.
    3. Our dams and sires obtain Performance Titles of AKC Junior – Master Hunt Titles and AKC Field Trial Titles of National Derby List QAA, QA2 and compete in Amateur and Open Field Trial to earn points to their Field Champion Titles. These titles exemplify the level of performance the dams and sires throughout the pedigree have proven.

Our dogs are well trained, in addition to having good manners, are responsive to training, confident in themselves, and has initiative to solve problems of sight scent and terrain without depending on his master’s help.

Personality – The Labradors of Quick Trigger Kennels have personalities that allow them to be an intricate part of a family. Our Labradors posses the “Off-Switch” quality which allows our dogs to be in environments near the elderly, around children of all ages, in nursing homes and hospitals visiting patients, and around other dogs. 

    1. One of our goals is to produce excellent quality Labradors with personalities that make them the most desirable dog around. Along with this, comes their gorgeous looks and beautiful fox red color.    
    2. Our dogs are raised in the home with us. They make wonderful companion dogs with a natural family-oriented temperament.  They have complete access to our home.  They sleep in our bedroom with us and often times on the bed with us.
    3. Our dogs are part of our family and extended family. They travel with us just about everywhere we go.  If it is a family event or holiday, rest assured they come with us to see the family.  They can be seen accompanying us to many children’s sporting events. 
    4. The gentleness of our dogs can be seen by many when we take them to the nursing homes and hospitals for visits. Our dogs are adaptable, obedient and kind-hearted. They are sociable, affectionate and loyal with a keen sense of smell.
    5. Breeding and training Labradors is our passion in life; we are dedicated to raising beautiful and loving dogs in a friendly home environment. In each pup we aim to balance beauty, intelligence & retrieving ability with a calm disposition.
    6. BUT, when the time comes to train, compete, or hunt – they can turn it on.

 

 

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Blue Ruger Boy
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