Careers in Human and Animal Health

Animal Breeder

Job Description

Animal breeders work closely and daily with their specialty animals, providing them with food, water, shelter and medical care. Breeders are familiar with the genetics of their animals and understand how to encourage procreation among them, taking into account genealogy, characteristics and insemination techniques to achieve the best results. Breeders are also responsible for keeping records of genealogy, health and birth intervals, as well as business records for sold animals.

Skills

• Compassion for and a genuine interest in improving the lives of animals, even if they are being bred for the marketplace
• Willingness to share research and work as a team member for the betterment of a species
• Knowledge of science and/or veterinary medicine
• Hand-steadiness, a calm demeanor and physical stamina when dealing with animal

Preparation

Small and domestic animal breeders do not require any formal training, but they should familiarize themselves with the desired and standard characteristics of the breed they work with. Those wishing to breed animals in a more exotic environment such as a zoo will need to first earn a bachelor's degree in veterinary science and perhaps specialize in graduate and/or postgraduate studies in zoology. To breed agricultural animals, a 4-year degree in agricultural science should be adequate for most entry-level positions.

Source: Education Portal