In many ways Bilka is Cilla's heir. I chose her father as a match for Onieda partly because he carried some of the same lines as Cilla and I am very grateful that the litter was just as good as I had hoped. Bilka has grown into a really excellent leader, accurate on her turns, fast, agile and keen to keep moving. She is very intelligent and can think her way around obstacles on the trail easily, keeping everyone moving and keeping the lines tight.

Bilka's excellent conformation shows in her lightfooted, long stride and her excellent recovery rate. She has very good stamina and when fit can hold a decent pace over an extended distance. She has very strong feet and isn't affected by trail surfaces.

In temperament Bilka is gentle, playful and enthusiastically friendly with people she knows, but can be reserved until she gets to know you well. She is not concerned by crowds at races and takes her team across the finish without missing a stride, but at the same time she is far too engrossed in her work to want to socialise with spectators. In the pack she loves nothing more than a rough and tumble with the others, and if there is a wild game going on there is no doubt that Bilka will be involved, usually alongside Solara.

Onieda and Bilka have a special bond and are often to be seen together - either playing, wandering about the pens investigating or just sitting together enjoying each other's company. Bilka looks to have inherited her mother's high ranking position in the pack and has a definite air of self-importance at times.