
The American Kennel Club recognizes 199 breeds. There are over 340 dog breeds known throughout the world. Once approved by the AKC, a standard becomes both the breeder’s “blueprint” and the instrument used by dog show judges to evaluate a breeder’s work. The AKC standard for each breed originates with a “parent club,” the AKC-recognized national club devoted to a particular breed. So, then, when is a breed a breed and not just a kind or type of dog? The simplest way to define a breed is to say it always “breeds true.” That is, breeding a purebred Irish Setter to another purebred Irish Setter will always produce dogs instantly recognizable as Irish Setters.Įach breed’s ideal physical traits, movement, and temperament are set down in a written document called a “breed standard.” For example, the breed standard sets forth the traits that make a Cocker Spaniel a Cocker Spaniel and not a Springer Spaniel. All three have a distinct family resemblance, but you’d never mistake one for another. The Greyhound, for instance, was the foundation type for the immense Irish Wolfhound and the dainty Italian Greyhound. Eventually, there emerged specific breeds of dogs, custom-bred to suit the breeders’ local needs and circumstances. The sleek Greyhound types bred to chase fleet-footed prey, and the huge mastiff types used as guard dogs and warriors, are two ancient examples of dogs bred for specific jobs.Īs humans became more sophisticated, so did their dogs. Hunting, guarding, and herding are thought to be among the earliest jobs eagerly performed by the animal destined to be called “man’s best friend.”įor thousands of years, humans bred dogs toward the physical and mental traits best suited for the work expected of them.

For example, they may only be allowed to have a certain number of animals on their land.

Breeders must understand state regulations regarding their breeding practices.
#Animal breeder career how to#
Sometimes these animals will only meet during a short mating session. How to become an Animal Breeder There are no educational requirements for animal breeders - anyone can become a breeder simply with extensive knowledge of the animal breed. Breeders often work in conjunction with each other to find the perfect mates for each of their animals. The breeder then sells these baby animals once they have reached an age where they can survive without the mother. From the beginning, humans purposefully bred dogs to perform various tasks. An animal breeder will mate animals to produce babies. The earliest dog breeders used wolves to create domestic dogs. The future outlook for a breeding manager will be good over the next five years.People have been breeding dogs since prehistoric times. The following high school courses are recommended: agricultural education, biology, anatomy, computer courses and mathematics.īreeding managers are typically employed by livestock companies or large farms. To pursue a career as a Breeding Manager: Maintain the highest level of animal health and welfareĪ high school degree is required, but an associate’s degree in agribusiness or animal science would be preferred.Keep records and paperwork of breeding, births, weaning, illness and disease, accidents, supplies and euthanizations.Complete daily checks on security and alarm systems, and respond to them.Oversee general maintenance of facility including cleanliness, pest control, feed systems, power washing, etc.Schedule and assign tasks to meet production goals.Ensure proper ventilation to animals and assign heat lamp management.Oversee that nursery processes are completed and that wounds are treated (tail length, castration, tattooing, ruptures).Warrant that vaccinations of mother and baby animals are completed.Manage proper euthanization to mother and baby animals.Monitor and assist mother animals during birth Not many breeders of dogs and cats make a full-time living from their work usually, at least one person in the family has an outside job.Confirm that all animals have proper feed and water.Oversee room set-up and initial inspections for mother animals.Oversee the welfare, feeding, monitoring, record-keeping, care and day-to-day management of the animals in your department.Incomes vary, but all of these career options help and involve animals. That number is based on 200 additional animal breeders, and the. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 11,600 animal breeders. The most popular careers involving animals are veterinarian, veterinary nurse, animal groomer, zoology, conservationist, animal breeder, and animal behaviorist. How employable are animal breeders CareerExplorer rates animal breeders with a F employability rating, meaning this career should provide poor employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. In the swine industry, these professionals are known as Farrowing Managers. Careers involving animals can be practical and hands-on, or data and science focused. Breeding or Multiplication Managers are responsible for all aspects of a company or organization’s breeding departments.
