A puppy is kissing a woman on the nose

Welcome to Quick Trigger Kennels!

We are a small, veteran-owned family business based just north of the Twin Cities in Pine City, Minnesota. Since 2019, we have been dedicated to breeding and raising high-quality Fox Red Labrador Retrievers that excel in the field, in competition, and as loving family companions. Our mission is simple: to produce Labradors with impeccable temperaments, impressive drive, and top-tier pedigrees, while focusing on health, trainability, and the needs of the families who adopt them.


At Quick Trigger Kennels, we believe that a great dog begins with a responsible and knowledgeable breeder. As lifelong dog lovers and passionate hunters, we carefully select each breeding pair to ensure that our puppies inherit the best traits of the Labrador breed, from their intelligence and trainability to their natural ability in the field. We are not just breeders; we are passionate about preserving and improving the Labrador Retriever breed, ensuring that every dog we produce is a healthy, happy, and well-rounded companion.

Our Story

Quick Trigger Kennels was founded by Kelly and Brent, a husband-and-wife team with a shared love for Labradors and a commitment to the breed. As a veteran-owned business, Kelly and Brent bring a unique set of values and experiences to their breeding program, focusing on integrity, attention to detail, and a dedication to the well-being of their dogs. With years of experience in the field and a deep understanding of the Labrador Retriever’s temperament and needs, they have created a breeding program that emphasizes health, performance, and family-friendly traits.


Our kennel is located on 150 beautiful acres in Pine City, Minnesota, where we’ve created an ideal environment for training, raising, and caring for our dogs. With 9 ponds on the property and plans to expand, our grounds are perfect for water training, field trials, and all-around dog fitness. We also raise our own pheasants to help with training, ensuring that our dogs have the best opportunities to develop their natural instincts.


Kelly and Brent are involved in every aspect of the breeding program, from choosing the best breeding pairs to training the puppies in the early weeks of life. They work together with their team to ensure the dogs receive the best possible care, training, and attention at all times. The kennel operates with a focus on quality over quantity, making sure each dog receives the time and attention they need to thrive.

Our Philosophy

Our breeding philosophy is rooted in the belief that quality breeding begins with careful planning, knowledge, and a commitment to excellence. We focus on four key principles — the Four P’s — when selecting our breeding pairs:

Our sires and dams come from top-quality purebred Labradors with hunting-titled backgrounds.


Each litter is carefully planned and selected for both correct conformation and exceptional pedigree, featuring Field Champion (FC) and National Field Champion (NFC) bloodlines. Additional prestigious titles in our dogs' pedigrees include QAA, QA2, Master Hunter (MH), HRCH, and BDC.


Our dams and sires have five generations of titled parentage, demonstrating a proven lineage of intelligence, trainability, and highest-level performance in both competition and the field.

Pedigree

We are committed to preserving the purebred quality of Labradors by thoroughly genetic and health testing our breeding dogs. This ensures we produce only superior, healthy Labradors.


We perform genetic testing on all our breeding dogs using DNA tests to screen for inheritable diseases commonly found in Labradors. These tests are conducted by PawPrint Genetics and/or Embark, with results available for review on each dog's individual page.


Our breeding dogs are CLEAR  of the 23 genetic abnormalities and diseases covered in the three genetic panels specifically for the Labrador breed at PawPrint Genetics. Additionally, we test for the dilute gene to prevent breeding silver or charcoal Labradors, aligning with our mission to preserve the purebred Labrador Retriever. Our breeding dogs also undergo rigorous health evaluations for hips, elbows, and eyes, with all tests showing Excellent or Good results to minimize the risk of orthopedic issues like Hip Dysplasia.


We utilize PennHIP and OFA methods to assess hip health, allowing us to make informed breeding decisions that reduce the risk of Canine Hip Dysplasia in future generations. Our goal is to produce healthy, superior Labradors by ensuring each dog is free from common genetic diseases and has the physical structure necessary for long-term health. 


Preservation

Quick Trigger Kennels’ dogs excel in the field, training yard, and home.


Our dogs are known for their tractability, intelligence, ambition, and training toughness. They possess a natural ability to mark, line, and cast, along with a keen sensitivity to scent and the wisdom to use it effectively. Their desire to train and perform drives their success.


The trainability of our dogs and puppies ensures they are well-equipped to compete in field trials, hunt tests, and upland tests. They naturally exhibit a strong motivation to retrieve.


Our dams and sires hold prestigious AKC Performance Titles, including Junior through Master Hunt Titles and AKC Field Trial Titles such as National Derby List QAA, QA2, and competition in Amateur and Open Field Trials. These titles reflect the high performance and proven capabilities across their pedigree.


Our dogs are well-mannered, responsive to training, confident, and independent problem-solvers, able to navigate sight, scent, and terrain challenges with minimal guidance.


Performance

Our labradors are known for their family-friendly personalities and "Off-Switch" quality, making them perfect companions for children, the elderly, and other pets. They are raised in our home, sleeping in our bedroom and traveling with us to family events, holidays, and even children's sporting events.


Our dogs are gentle, obedient, and affectionate, with a strong desire to bond with their family. They also excel in visiting nursing homes and hospitals, bringing joy to patients. We are dedicated to breeding beautiful, intelligent, and loving Labradors, balancing retrieving ability with a calm, sociable, and loyal temperament. When it's time to train, compete, or hunt, they are ready to perform.


Personality

A brown puppy is sitting in a wooden bucket.

Why Choose Quick Trigger Kennels?

  • Responsible Breeding: We carefully select each breeding pair to ensure the best genetic match. Our sires and dams undergo thorough genetic and health testing to guarantee healthy puppies.
  • Socialization: All of our puppies are raised in the home with plenty of socialization, love, and care. We expose them to everyday sounds, environments, and situations to help them become confident, adaptable dogs.
  • Training and Support: We are dedicated to setting our puppies up for success. Our puppies are raised with training programs that include early neurological stimulation (ENS), sound conditioning, scent introduction, and potty training basics. We are committed to providing ongoing support for each puppy owner long after they bring their dog home.
  • Health Guarantee: We offer a 26-month health guarantee on our puppies, covering hip and eye health. Our commitment to health extends beyond the puppy’s early years, and we are always here to support you if health concerns arise.
  • Lifelong Commitment: When you adopt a puppy from Quick Trigger Kennels, you become part of our extended family. We are committed to staying in touch with every puppy we raise, offering advice, training tips, and support for the lifetime of your dog.