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Animal Breeder

Overview and Key Facts

woman in a barn holding a baby goat
Education
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Median Pay
Median Pay
$40,090
Job Growth
Job Growth
4.30%
(US Average)
Jobs in 2031
Jobs in 2031
7,600

What Do They Do?

An animal breeder could...

Overview Listen to this section

Why is it that certain breeds of cattle produce more flesh or milk? Why is one horse faster than another? The answer is that these breeds were engineered to have these special characteristics. Animal breeders need to understand genetics in order to produce animals that are bigger, faster, or more beautiful. If you are interested in working with animals and are fascinated by the science of genetics, then you should investigate this career.
This video details the roles and responsibilities of animal breeding. Animal breeding encompasses breeding both large farm animals and pet animals.

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of an Animal Breeder?


  1. Critical Thinking: ?
  2. Judgment and Decision Making: ?
  3. Active Listening: ?
  4. Complex Problem Solving: ?
  5. Monitoring: ?

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks an Animal Breeder might do:
  • 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.
  • Examine animals to detect symptoms of illness or injury.
  • Build hutches, pens, and fenced yards.
  • Record animal characteristics such as weights, growth patterns, and diets.
  • Brand, tattoo, or tag animals to allow animal identification.

Salary & Job Openings

Steps to Get There: Becoming an Animal Breeder

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On the Job

More Information

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