Bianca’s Story – David Margan As a relative newcomer to the wonderful world of pedigree competitions I sometimes had trouble working out what drives the passion of the show ring. Well, in talking to 23-year-old Bianca Hickey, a 12-year member of Dogs Queensland, finally I get it. Bianca grew up with parents and a grandma who showed Great Danes. In fact, Bianca lived in a home that had 13 Great Danes, none of whom ever slept outside. She learnt to walk by holding a Danes tail. It was inevitable that pure breds, shows and competition would be her love. She started at the age of seven going over the border with her parents to events in Northern NSW where then 7-10 year old’s could compete. But as Bianca says, “I was too tiny to do Danes and besides they’re often quite naughty!”
A breeder of Shetland Sheepdogs from Western Australia, where they’re a very popular breed, suggested she could send one over to Bianca for 12 months who would help it get its title here in Queensland. And so, she met Brady and fell in love. 12 months on the breeder flew to Queensland to collect the dog but when she saw the bond that Brady and Bianca had built that idea was scuttled. At age 12, Bianca, with Brady in tow won a Best In Show; “He taught me everything, he was just such a showman, outside the ring he was goofy but as soon as he stepped inside, he was so switched on, so serious.” It was a sad day when Brady, aged 13, passed away. As a Junior Handler Bianca Hickey won a State Final
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DOG WORLD September 2021
