What Does it Take to Be an Animal Breeder?

Position Description Select and breed animals according to their genealogy, characteristics, and offspring. May require knowledge of artificial insemination techniques and equipment use. May involve keeping records on heats, birth intervals, or pedigree.

What Do Animal Breeders Do On a Daily Basis?

• Exhibit animals at shows.
• Bathe and groom animals.
• Build hutches, pens, and fenced yards.
• Inject prepared animal semen into female animals for breeding purposes, by inserting nozzle of syringe into vagina and depressing syringe plunger.
• Examine semen microscopically to assess and record density and motility of gametes, and dilute semen with prescribed diluents, according to formulas.
• Brand, tattoo, or tag animals to allow animal identification.

What Every Animal Breeder Should Know

Below is a list of the skills most Animal Breeders say are important on the job.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

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.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Science: Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Types of Animal Breeder

• Donor Manager
• Animal Husbandry Technician
• Breeding Manager
• Canary Breeder
• Fur Farmer

Job Demand for Animal Breeders

There were about 9,000 jobs for Animal Breeder in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 2.2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 200 new jobs for Animal Breeder by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 1,400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Animal Breeder are Missouri, Texas, and Oregon. Watch out if you plan on working in North Carolina, Maryland, or Illinois. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does an Animal Breeder Make?

The typical yearly salary for Animal Breeders is somewhere between $25,220 and $67,180.

Animal Breeders who work in Ohio, Washington, or Missouri, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Animal Breeders in different U.S. states.

State	Annual Mean Salary
California	$39,360
Florida	$38,720
Iowa	$33,880
Kentucky	$43,880
Michigan	$33,100
Missouri	$49,500
New Jersey	$44,920
New York	$45,010
Ohio	$64,700
South Dakota	$38,230
Tennessee	$44,640
Texas	$40,000
Virginia	$48,230
Washington	$59,980
Wisconsin	$40,060

What Tools do Animal Breeders Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Animal Breeders:

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Outlook
• Microsoft Access
• Email software
• Microsoft Windows
• Adobe Systems Adobe Acrobat
• Microsoft SharePoint
• Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
• Adobe Systems Adobe Illustrator
• Adobe Systems Adobe InDesign
• Microsoft Internet Explorer
• Adobe Systems Adobe Creative Suite

How do I Become an Animal Breeder?

What kind of Animal Breeder requirements are there?

How Long Does it Take to Become an Animal Breeder?

Where Animal Breeders Work

Animal Breeders work in the following industries:

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: {} via CC0 Public Domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.