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Animal Breeder
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Practical or MechanicalClerical or OrganisingNature or RecreationAnalytic or ScientificSkill Level 1

 

An animal breeder is someone who mates animals in order to produce offspring with desired characteristics. Animal breeding works with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, fish, and reptiles.

It is a combination of science and art. Breeders must understand animal genetics as well as have a keen eye for which physical traits are desirable. Future Growth Strong

Animal breeders work to improve the characteristics of animal populations. They achieve this by breeding individuals with desired traits.

The top careers of animal breeders include:

  • Cattle Breeder
  • Pig Breeder
  • Poultry Breeder


ANZSCO ID: 1213
  
Alternative names: Breeder,
  

Specialisations
: This can involve working with a variety of animal species, including cows, pigs, chickens, horses, and dogs.

Knowledge, skills and attributes

Animal breeders are responsible for the care and breeding of animals. This can include anything from dogs and cats to more exotic animals like reptiles or birds. Animal breeders must have a genuine passion for the animal kingdom and a strong desire to help preserve animal populations.

Moreover, animal breeders must have a strong knowledge of animal care and husbandry. This includes an understanding of animal behaviour. Animal breeding is a complex and meticulous science. Animal breeders must have a thorough understanding of animal genetics. This includes reproductive physiology and animal husbandry.

They must be able to provide the animals in their care with the proper nutrition, housing, and exercise. Animal breeders must also be able to identify and select animals for breeding purposes. This requires an understanding of animal genetics and pedigrees.They also need to be able to make quick decisions and be comfortable with change.

Animal breeders must be able to maintain accurate records of the animals in their care.

They must also be able to work with other professionals, such as veterinarians and animal behaviorists.

Did You Know?

CSIRO: The challenge
Dehorning cattle is costly

Most cattle, especially in Northern Australia, have horns. Hornless cattle are safer to manage due to reduced risk of injury from horns, between animals and the people handling them. Also, in Australia, beef cattle are often transported for long distances, which adds to the risk of injury from horns.
Improving methods to breed cattle without horns will improve animal welfare and benefit industry.

To reduce these risks, dehorning became a common husbandry practice in modern farm management. However, dehorning is a labour-intensive procedure, costly and has implications for animal welfare. An alternative management practice was sought to overcome the need or reduce the practice of dehorning. Breeding hornless cattle is one alternative solutions.

Selective breeding of naturally hornless (polled) cattle also comes with its challenges. The way horns (or the lack of) are inherited from parents to offspring cannot be determined visually because two hornless cattle can have horned calves. A DNA-based test was required to reduce horns in any herd.


Hornless cattle

The current Australian Poll Gene Marker test is used to determine if an animal is 'true polled', that is, it carries two copies of the polled gene, and naturally lacks horns. Initially developed for use in Brahmans, the test can now be used with a high degree of confidence across a range of tropical and temperate cattle breeds enabling breeders to reduce the presence of horns in subsequent generations.
(Source: CSIRO)


Duties and Tasks

Animal breeders usually do the following:

  • Select animals to be bred based on desired characteristics
  • Breed animals using artificial insemination or other methods
  • Inspect animals for signs of illness or injury - monitor the health of animals
  • Administer vaccinations and other medical care
  • Oversee animal births
  • Wean animal offspring
  • Socialize young animals
  • Transport animals to and from shows or sales
  • Clean animal pens and cages
  • Order supplies
  • Supervise staff
  • Attend conferences and workshops
  • Keep records of animal pedigrees and breeding histories
  • Supervise animal care staff
  • Train animals for shows or other performances


Working conditions

Animal breeders must be able to handle stress and work long hours. A typical day for an animal breeder may start early in the morning and end late at night (they may start as early as 5:00 a.m. and work until 10:00 p.m).

This schedule may vary depending on the animal’s needs and the breeder’s personal preferences.

Animal breeders typically work long hours, including weekends and holidays.

Animal breeders typically dress in casual clothing. However, they may need to wear protective gear when working with certain animals, such as gloves.


Education and training/entrance requirements

Work as an assistant animal breeder or in a related position.
Attend animal breeding seminars and workshops.
Join an animal breeding association.
Obtain a license if required in your state.


  
Employment Opportunities

Animal breeders may work on farms, in animal shelters, animal sanctuaries, zoos, or in laboratories.
Some animal breeders work as self-employed contractors.


Science Career: Animal Breeder
https://youtu.be/YBCbUasKr7M?si=D5qC2dkLbZtqCW9R

 

 

Dog Breeder
Environments

 

Practical or MechanicalClerical or OrganisingNature or RecreationAnalytic or ScientificSkill Level 1

A Dog Breeder is an animal expert who cares for dogs while they produce new litters of puppies. A dog breeder is a professional who mates dogs to produce puppies and matches those puppies to new owners. This typically involves taking care of grown dogs and puppies and helping them find new homes by connecting with potential owners.  Future Growth Strong

Dog Breeders utilize their knowledge of genetics, health, and breed standards to produce litters of puppies that meet specific criteria. They carefully select parent dogs, plan matings, monitor pregnancies, and provide proper care for both the dam and puppies.

Dog breeders produce and train dogs for shows, companionship or pets, with duties ranging from feeding, grooming and bathing dogs to providing medication, assisting in births, studying up on pedigrees, and maintaining breeding records.

Holding puppies
(Source: The Dog Nest)

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Lifeguard

Horse Trainer

Forester

Electrical Linesperson

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Greenkeeper

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Livestock Farmer

Aquaculture Farmer

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Mining Engineer

Petroleum Engineer

Jillaroo Jackeroo

Arborist

Horse Manager

Wool Classer

Farrier

Waste Water Operator

Horse Groomer

Grain Oilseed Pasture Grower

Animal Attendant and Trainer

Coastal Engineer

Geographer

Olericulturist

Environmental Consultant

Floriculturist

Agricultural Consultant

Sustainability Consultant

Wind Turbine Technician

Zoo Education Manager

Hazardous Materials Labourer

Feedlot Manager

Energy Efficiency Engineer

Rat Farmer

Poultry Farmer

Horse Breeder

Pig Farmer

Rural Contractor

Farmer

Zookeeper

Civil Engineer

Viticulturalist

Horticulturalist

Surveyor

Beekeeper

Landscape Architect

Lifeguard

Horse Trainer

Forester

Electrical Linesperson

Shearer

Greenkeeper

Stonemason

Crop Farmer

Livestock Farmer

Aquaculture Farmer

Miner

Mining Engineer

Petroleum Engineer

Jillaroo Jackeroo

Arborist

Horse Manager

Wool Classer

Farrier

Waste Water Operator

Horse Groomer

Grain Oilseed Pasture Grower

Animal Attendant and Trainer

Coastal Engineer

Pomologist

Pest and Weed Controller

Geographer

Olericulturist

Environmental Consultant

Floriculturist

Agricultural Consultant

Sustainability Consultant

Wind Turbine Technician

Zoo Education Manager

Hazardous Materials Labourer

Feedlot Manager

Energy Efficiency Engineer

Rat Farmer

Poultry Farmer

Horse Breeder Stud Manager

Pig Farmer

Rural Contractor

Farmer

Horticultural Assistant

Zookeeper

Civil Engineer

Viticulturalist

Horticulturalist

Surveyor

Beekeeper