Genetic Testing

Quick Trigger Kennels ensures the health of our breeding dogs by conducting genetic testing for all known inheritable diseases affecting Labrador Retrievers. These tests are performed by Paw Print Genetics and Embark, with results available for review on each dog's profile.


Our breeding dogs are CLEAR of the following 23 genetic conditions, covering all three genetic panels for Labrador Retrievers from Paw Print Genetics.

Three puppies are playing on a slide in a play area.
  • Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM)
  • Chondrodystrophy with Intervertebral Disc Disease Risk Factor (CDDY with IVDD)
  • Cone Degeneration (Labrador Retriever Type)
  • Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome (Labrador Retriever Type)
  • Copper Toxicosis (Labrador Retriever Type) ATP7A
  • Copper Toxicosis (Labrador Retriever Type) ATP7B
  • Cystinuria (Labrador Retriever Type)
  • Degenerative Myelopathy (DM Common Variant)
  • Elliptocytosis
  • Exercise-Induced Collapse EIC
  • Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis HNPK (Labrador Retriever Type)
  • Hyperuricosuria
  • Ichthyosis (Golden Retriever Type 1)
  • Macular Corneal Dystrophy (Labrador Retriever Type)
  • Myotubular Myopathy 1 (Labrador Retriever Type)
  • Narcolepsy (Labrador Retriever Type)
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy, PRA Cone-Rod Dystrophy 4
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Golden Retriever 2
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy, Progressive Rod-Cone Degeneration
  • Pyruvate Kinase Deficiency (Labrador Retriever Type)
  • Retinal Dysplasia/Oculoskeletal Dysplasia 1
  • Skeletal Dysplasia 2
  • Stargardt Disease
  • D-Dilute Gene – We test for the dilute gene to ensure we never own or produce a dilute carrier or affected dog. We do not support breeding silver, charcoal, or any dilute-carrier Labradors.


Hips, Elbows, & Eyes Testing

Hip, Elbow, & Eye Health Testing


At Quick Trigger Kennels, all breeding dogs undergo rigorous hip, elbow, and eye evaluations through PennHIP or the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) to ensure optimal joint and eye health.


  • Hip & Elbow X-rays are submitted to PennHIP or OFA for certification.
  • Eye evaluations are conducted by a Board-Certified Ophthalmologist to check for abnormalities.
  • Dogs receive Excellent or Good hip and elbow ratings, indicating a minimal risk of osteoarthritis and ensuring strong, healthy joints in future generations.


Hip Evaluation Methods: PennHIP & OFA


PennHIP (AIS Hip Improvement Program)

PennHIP is the most accurate method for measuring hip laxity and detecting hip dysplasia risk as early as 16 weeks of age.


The PennHIP Process:

Dogs are sedated or anesthetized to ensure muscle relaxation.

Three specialized PennHIP radiographs are taken and submitted to ANTECH Imaging Services for evaluation.

Results determine hip tightness compared to other Labradors, helping breeders make informed decisions.


By selecting dogs with tighter hips, breeders can significantly reduce the incidence of Canine Hip Dysplasia in future generations.

OFA Hip & Elbow Testing


OFA evaluations follow American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines to assess hip joint integrity and classify hip health.


OFA Hip Grades:

  • Excellent: Superior hip conformation with a deep femoral head fitting tightly into a well-formed socket.
  • Good: Slightly less than superior but still a well-formed hip joint.
  • Fair: Minor irregularities; the hip joint is wider than ideal, with slight looseness.
  • Borderline, Mild, Moderate, Severe: Considered dysplastic and not used for breeding.


Dogs rated Excellent, Good, or Fair receive OFA certification numbers, which are publicly available through the AKC database for transparency.

Final Hip Grade Determination:


Each dog's final OFA hip grade is decided by a consensus of three independent radiologists:

2 radiologists rate Excellent, 1 rates Good → Final grade: Excellent

1 rates Excellent, 1 Good, 1 Fair → Final grade: Good

1 rates Fair, 2 rate Mild Dysplasia → Final grade: Mild (not suitable for breeding)


By prioritizing health-tested breeding stock, Quick Trigger Kennels ensures the production of strong, structurally sound Labrador Retrievers, reducing the risk of Canine Hip Dysplasia and joint issues in future generations.

QTK Health Guarantee

At QTK, we take every precaution to produce healthy, well-bred puppies through selective breeding and quality care. By the time you receive your puppy, they will have:

  • Been dewormed every two weeks
  • Received their first round of vaccinations for Canine Distemper, Adenovirus Type 1 (Hepatitis), Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus (DHPP)
  • Been microchipped
  • Undergone a 6-week wellness exam by a Board-Certified Licensed Veterinarian


26-Month Hip & Eye Guarantee

QTK puppies come with a 26-month health guarantee covering genetic hip and eye conditions that would prevent them from being certified by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) or the OFA Canine Eye Registry (CAER).


We ensure healthy genetics by breeding only dogs with an OFA hip rating of GOOD or EXCELLENT and a passing CAER eye certification. This selective breeding significantly reduces the risk of genetic hip and eye disorders. This guarantee applies only if the buyer complies with all agreement terms.


Hip Dysplasia Guarantee

Hips must be evaluated between 24–26 months of age by a Board-Certified Licensed Veterinarian. If moderate or severe dysplasia is diagnosed, QTK reserves the right to request a second evaluation at the buyer’s expense. QTK will consult with veterinarians to confirm that the condition is purely genetic and not caused by external factors. Preliminary hip evaluations will not be honored.


This guarantee does not cover dysplasia or joint issues caused by overfeeding or poor-quality food, excessive strain on joints at a young age, or accidents, injuries, neglect, or poor nutrition Scientific research shows that genetics, nutrition, and joint stress all contribute to hip health. Proper care, diet, and exercise are essential for maintaining joint integrity.


Eye Guarantee

The puppy must undergo an eye exam and certification by a Board-Certified Canine Ophthalmologist before 26 months of age. If an issue is detected, a copy of the CAER evaluation must be sent to QTK. QTK will consult with the ophthalmologist to determine if the disorder was due to genetics or external factors (injury, malnourishment, mistreatment, etc.). If the condition is determined to be caused by non-genetic factors, this guarantee is void.


Lifetime Genetic Disease Guarantee

All QTK puppies are guaranteed for life to be genetically clear of the following inherited diseases:

  • Exercise-Induced Collapse (EIC)
  • Centronuclear Myopathy (CNM)
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA-pcrd)
  • Hereditary Nasal Parakeratosis (HNPK)
  • Degenerative Myelopathy (DM)
  • Dilute Gene (D-Dilute) (Ensuring no silver, charcoal, or dilute-carrier Labradors)


All QTK puppies come microchipped for identity verification. If genetic concerns arise, testing must be conducted in the presence of a Board-Certified Veterinarian, verifying the microchip number against QTK records.

Three puppies are playing on a slide in a play area.

Our Commitment to Healthy, High Quality Labradors

At Quick Trigger Kennels, we are committed to providing the highest quality nutrition to support our dogs’ growth, health, and performance. We feed our dogs premium brands like NutriSource and Royal Canin. Additionally, we incorporate fresh, nutrient-rich foods from our own farm, including pumpkin, squash, green beans, cucumbers, farm-raised chicken & pheasant eggs, and venison & beef organs/meat. This balanced diet supports strong bones, healthy joints, and overall well-being for our dogs and their puppies.


We go above and beyond to ensure our puppies are genetically sound, structurally strong, and raised with the best care and nutrition. By following rigorous health screening and responsible breeding practices, we strive to produce exceptional Labrador Retrievers with optimal health, temperament, and performance potential.


For further details, visit our website or contact us directly!



Get in Touch

If you're interested in one of our upcoming litters, available puppies, or would like to learn more about our dogs, don’t hesitate to reach out. We would love to answer any questions and help you find the perfect Labrador for your family.


Contact us at (651) 302-1350 or via email at quicktriggerkennels@gmail.com. You can also follow us on Facebook for regular updates and photos of our dogs in action!