Signet Collies

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Pete's Puppies        The Mom of Signet Collies

Updated 12-13-09

Signet Makes History

Signet Collies was created in 1978 with the union of Michael Esch and Teresa Karbatsch.

Teresa (or Tess as she is more commonly known) is the daughter of James and Suzanne Karbatch. Jim and Sue had been raising and showing dogs, primarily Collies for over 20 years. Tess persuaded her parents to allow the first smooth tri-color puppy on the property as her dog. This female, CH. Nostalgix The Unholy Grail, “Puppet”, became Tess' friend and companion for many years.

 Michael is the son of Vernon and Lora Esch. Mike started raising collies with his Dad in 1969. In 1975 he persuaded his Dad to get their first smooth. This female, CH. Verlor’s Charmer of Lick Creek, “Tracy”, along with Tess' Puppet became the two cornerstone females in the Signet breeding program.

All Signet Collies can be traced back to either the Sujim kennel name or the Verlor kennel name.  Mike and Tess cherish their roots and thank their parents for providing such a wonderful foundation on which to build.

With the passing of years, Signet has developed into a name to be noticed.  Mike and Tess have two children, Joe and Michelle, who are active and involved with the dogs and the show life.  Both kids have won the Best Junior Handler trophy from the Collie Club of America National Specialty.  They assist Tess regularly both in the ring and out.

Tess passed away on December 29, 2006 after a long fight with cancer. While she was alive, she was approved to judge Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs and Junior Showmanship. Mike is approved to judge Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs and Junior Showmanship. Joe and Michelle are both approved to judge Junior Showmanship. Our family has always felt that judging is a natural progression of the education process of the world of dogs.  Indeed it is an education.

Signet has bred over 87 champions.  A Signet Collie will easily win at both Specialty and All-Breed shows.  Below you will find many of our family history:

"June" CCA 1980 WB & BOW	CH. Signet's All In The Family CCA 1981 WB & BOW	CH. Verlor's Chief War Cloud CCA 1977 Reserve WD

CH. Sujim's Mr. Onederful CCA 1975 Reserve WD	CH. Verlor's Charmer of Lick Creek CCA 1977 BOV

 

These pictures are of the six generations of Signet girls that we had on our property at one time in 1999.  Kisses is the only one still living but these girls can all be traced back to CH. Sujim's Mr. Onederful and CH. Verlor's Charmer of Lick Creek.  This is our heritage:

CH. Signet's Lady of Verlor	CH. Signet's Family Affair	CH. Signet's Generations
CH. Signet’s Hopelessly In Love, ROM	CH. Signet's Band of Gold CCA 1998 BOS to Best Puppy	Signet's Butterfly Kisses