At Centauri our purpose is the breeding of the Bouvier as the working dog our founders sought out on Flemish farms, creating a race of honest working dogs that have ever since been valued for character and fidelity as well as the handsome appearance. Our stock has been meticulously selected to insure that each dog bred is capable of the traditional working functions. Correct character and structure are our standard, prerequisite for a place in the Centauri program. We are not a commercial kennel, but rather live with, work and breed a few good dogs.

Beyond our status as internationally recognized breeders and trainers, we have played a pivotal role in the leadership of the American working dog movement. We were instrumental in the founding of the North American Working Bouvier Association, which Jim has served as President, and the American Working Dog Federation, which Jim served as founding Secretary.

For many years, our contributions to Dog Sports magazine, Dog World, the NAWBA Journal and Bulletin, the American Club magazine and the journals of the Belgian and Dutch clubs have influenced the international evolution of the Bouvier des Flandres.

Our hard cover book, "Bouvier des Flandres: the Dogs of Flandres Fields" (Alpine Publishers, large format, 238 pages) is emerging internationally as the definitive work on the history and heritage of the breed.

Our line began with Ch. Vacher's Alpha Centauri SchH III, FH, CD, TD, OFA. "Tory was the first Champion and the second Bouvier to hold Schutzhund III in North America. He was also first to hold the "FH", the coveted advanced German tracking title, and reserve North American Working Champion in 1981.

"Leah", Select Ch. Centauri's Fleur de Lis SchH III, CD, TD, OFA, became the first SchH III female and Working Champion in 1984. But she was much more than a champion caliber working dog, for she accumulated enough Breed and Group wins and placements to rank as the number two bitch nationally, also in '84. This great bitch, who has the most outstanding overall record of any Bouvier in North American history, was equally at home in a police trial or the group ring, truly a Bouvier for all seasons!

Leah was bred to Donar to produce Select Champion Centauri's Gambit SchH III, CD, OFA (Excellent). In 1984 at the North American Championships both Gambit and Leah were rated "Excellent" and placed "Select" by Annie Verheyen of Belgium, perhaps the most respected Bouvier judge in the world. Gambit, who was high in Schutzhund trial in Detroit and second in Police Protection, has proven to be an outstanding stud dog, for his progeny, and their offspring, are winning in the show ring as well as demonstrating strong working character.

In 1985 Gambit became the third Centauri Bouvier to become Schutzhund III, Champion of Record and Working Champion or Reserve. At the Working Championships his Schutzhund scores were 86 in tracking, 97 in obedience and 96 in protection, and he was first in Police Protection. In '86 he was again Reserve Working Champion, tied for first in Police Protection and rated "Excellent" and place among the Select males by Henk Harmers, Vice President of the Dutch Bouvier Club.

In October of 1987, in Redlands, California, Gambit became the second Centauri Bouvier to hold the title "North American Working Champion." In conformation, he was rated "Excellent" by Justin Chastel. In 1989, in Detroit, Gambit again was the Working Championship winner. In addition to being the leading producer of Schutzhund titled Bouviers in North America, Gambit has produce a Best In Show winner, Ch. Centauri's Marco Polo, CD.

Hantal, our Donar daughter, was Schutzhund II, and CD, TD. She was the first female in America to hold the FH, the advanced tracking title.

Gambit's daughter, Ch. Centauri's Irca, co-owned with Pat Dowling, was Best of Breed at the N.A. Championships in '86 under Henk Harmers, Vice President of the Dutch Bouvier Club. Ch. Centauri's Hanter, called "Chimo" by co-owner Sarah Dowling, won or placed in the Group numerous times. He was Best of Opposite Sex at the '86 Championships under Mr. Harmers, and became one of the most respected stud dogs in America being a top 10 producer in 1994.

Centauri's Kannon SchH III, owned and trained by Mr. Frank Krasinski, was the 1991 North American Working Champion in Atlanta.

In the Fall of 1994, Centauri's Porter, owned and trained by Charlie Porter of Maine, earned his Sch H I, II, and III in only 6 weeks. He achieved his FH in 1995.

In the fall of 1996 three Centauri Bouviers earned the BH at the Northern Illinois Schutzhund Club trial and one, Centauri's Quinn, went on to earn his Sch H I later that year.

In the late summer of 1997, Bret Pritchett with Centauri's Tyrus, BH earned his Sch H I, won high scoring Schutzhund one at the USA regionals, and went on to become Reserve North American Working Bouvier Champion and the NAWBA Championships in Quebec later that fall.

Also in the fall of 1997 Centauri's Tosca, owned by Pat and Seth Dowling and groomed by Sarah Dowling and trained by Sarah and Pat, finished her conformation championship with 3 group placements and went on to earn her CD in 3 straight shows, one weekend in December.

2002 - Dr. Michele Sobol Jones earned a Sch H III on Centauri's Upsilon, OFA, Carla van Duyvenbode put a Sch H III on female Centauri's Utterly Ironic, OFA . Jim Engel earned a BH and Sch H I (High in Trial) on Centauri's Yancy "Buddy", John Courter earned a BH and Sch H I on Centauri's Xachery, Howard Porter earned a UD on Centauri's Ultim Fils de Fer. All the above except Upsilon are Iron offspring. Several other Iron offspring also earned herding titles.

In North America, the first three Bouviers to achieve the ultimate mark of distinction, attaining the Schutzhund III and becoming Champion of Record, carry the Centauri Kennel name, each "Born and trained in the USA!" Clearly, our program has come of age, establishing itself as a line of exceptional working dogs also capable of dominating the breed ring. If you are interested in such a dog, a young Bouvier out of North American's foremost working and show line, your inquiry will be most welcome.

We also have numerous contacts in Europe and can import dogs by special request. Please let us know your preferences.

CENTAURI Bouvier des Flandres Kennel
Jim & Kathy Engel

North Central Illinois

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