Animal Breeders
What is an Animal Breeder?
Animal breeders are professionals who specialize in the controlled breeding of animals to produce specific traits or qualities that meet certain standards or requirements. This career involves a deep understanding of genetics, animal behavior, and reproductive processes. Animal breeders work with various species, including dogs, cats, horses, livestock, and exotic animals, and they often focus on enhancing desirable characteristics such as health, temperament, conformation, and productivity.
The primary responsibilities of an animal breeder include selecting parent animals based on their genetic health and desirable traits, managing breeding programs, monitoring the health and development of animals, and conducting health screenings to minimize hereditary diseases. They may also be involved in the registration of animals with breed organizations and maintaining breeding records. In addition to technical skills, successful animal breeders must possess strong communication skills to work effectively with clients, veterinarians, and fellow breeders.
Animal breeders can work independently, operate breeding farms, or be employed by breeding businesses, research institutions, or animal organizations. As a career, animal breeding requires a strong commitment to animal welfare, ongoing education in animal science and breeding practices, and a passion for working with animals.
Tasks
- Feed and water animals, and clean and disinfect pens, cages, yards, and hutches.
- Observe animals in heat to detect approach of estrus and exercise animals to induce or hasten estrus, if necessary.
- Treat minor injuries and ailments and contact veterinarians to obtain treatment for animals with serious illnesses or injuries.
- Purchase and stock supplies of feed and medicines.
- Select animals to be bred, and semen specimens to be used, according to knowledge of animals, genealogies, traits, and desired offspring characteristics.
Technology Skills
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Data base user interface and query software
- Breedtrak
- KinTraks
- Microsoft Access
- Reudink Software ZooEasy
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Graphics or photo imaging software
- Adobe Creative Cloud software
- Adobe Illustrator
- Adobe Photoshop
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Electronic mail software
- Email software
- Microsoft Outlook
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Analytical or scientific software
- Questionmark Perception
- VSN International GenStat
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Spreadsheet software
- Microsoft Excel
Tools Used
- Animal husbandry equipment
- Livestock identification equipment
- Veterinary injection or suction unit
- Hydrometers
- Veterinary artificial inseminating machine
Knowledge
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Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
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Sales and Marketing
Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
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Administration and Management
Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.
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Biology
Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.
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Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
Skills
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Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
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Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
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Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
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Complex Problem Solving
Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
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Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Abilities
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Near Vision
The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
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Category Flexibility
The ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
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Deductive Reasoning
The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
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Problem Sensitivity
The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.
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Arm-Hand Steadiness
The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.
Education
How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation?
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High school diploma or equivalent
or: GED, High School Equivalency Certificate
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Post-secondary certificate
Awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in Personnel Services, Engineering-related Technologies, Vocational Home Economics, Construction Trades, Mechanics and Repairers, Precision Production Trades)
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Some college, no degree
Work Activities
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Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
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Performing General Physical Activities
Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling materials.
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Documenting/Recording Information
Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
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Handling and Moving Objects
Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
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Getting Information
Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Detailed Work Activities
- Care for animals.
- Clean equipment or facilities.
- Perform animal breeding procedures.
- Monitor animal behavior or condition.
- Communicate with other workers to coordinate activities.
Work Interests
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Realistic
Work involves designing, building, or repairing of equipment, materials, or structures, engaging in physical activity, or working outdoors. Realistic occupations are often associated with engineering, mechanics and electronics, construction, woodworking, transportation, machine operation, agriculture, animal services, physical or manual labor, athletics, or protective services.
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Conventional
Work involves following procedures and regulations to organize information or data, typically in a business setting. Conventional occupations are often associated with office work, accounting, mathematics/statistics, information technology, finance, or human resources.
Job Outlook
Projected salary and job growth
$33710.0 - $77410.0
New job opportunities are less likely in the future. : Below Average
Assessment
Related assessments and tests
No assessment available.