About Sandhill Kennel

Hugh Arthur's passion for Labradors developed during his early childhood years in south Georgia. Hugh's love for the outdoors and hunting lead to the opening of Sandhill Kennel in Eastover, South Carolina in 1974. The Kennel was later relocated to Lincolnton, Georgia in 1985.

Over the past thirty years Hugh has trained nationally competitive field trial dogs; as well as, shooting dogs for people all over the United States and Canada. In thirty plus years Hugh and his kennel have produced many success stories including:

FC Beggar's Bush Venna
The first chocolate female field champion in the history of the sport

FC AFC Itchin To Go
2x National Finalist, Member of the Hall of Fame

Dynamite Duke
1985 National Field Champion

FC AFC Carolina's Full Force Gale
1990 National Derby Champion

FC Lisonally's One for the Money
2002 Canadian National Champion

FC AFC Carolina's Smoke on the Water
National Finalist #3 Open dog in 2004

Dixie Jam II
2004 completed his derby career at #3 in the country with 58 derby points.

Since, 1974 Sandhill Kennel has been fortunate enough to have produced over 42 field champions and 75 plus dogs on the National Derby list with 15 being in the top five in the U.S.

Al's love for labs started the day he was welcomed home from the hospital by Heidi the family lab. Stories have been told of how Al teethed on Heidi's ears. Growing up Al was exposed to life as a pro dog trainer, on Saturdays and school breaks he was always with his father. After graduating from the University of Georgia Al tried his hand in the business world but never lost the passion and love for Labradors. In 1997 Al Arthur joined the team at Sandhill Kennel after working under Pat Burns and Merry Lake, owners of Esprit Kennels for several years. Al married in 2000 and now has two children, Hugh III (3) and Ruby Cullars (1).

With Al's addition they now have the opportunity of rotating the travel of field trials and Nationals. In October of 2004 Hugh and Al became the first father son team to each win an open on the same weekend. Having experience and new ideas within the same kennel has created an awesome learning environment for labrador and their owners who seek perfection.