The steps a person takes to become an animal breeder normally depend on the types of animals he hopes to breed. Generally, a person who wants to bread small, domestic animals may do so without attending college. He will, however, usually need to spend at least some time reading about breeding the animals he plans to work with. It may also prove helpful to seek an internship or volunteer position working with those animals before getting started in this career. Individuals who want to breed large, exotic, or livestock animals often seek a degree in an animal-related field.
An animal breeder is a person who breeds animals for the purpose of selling them. He may breed animals, such as dogs, to sell as pets. Sometimes, however, an individual will decide to breed livestock, such as cattle, or horses for racing or recreational riding. Some animal breeders may also breed animals to sell to scientists interested in using them to study ways to optimize animal breeding or the production of animal products. Additionally, an animal breeder may breed animals he intends to keep, either as pets or for the purpose of working his farm.
If a person wants to become an animal breeder and work with small domestic animals, such as cats and dogs, he may be able to do so without seeking any formal training. It may prove helpful to do a good deal of self-study in such a case, however. Gaining experience working with animals may also prove helpful in such a situation. An individual who wants to become an animal breeder may work or volunteer at an animal hospital or shelter. He may even gain valuable experience by working with an experienced breeder.
An individual who wants to become an animal breeder of larger or more exotic animals may need a degree in a related field. For example, he may pursue a veterinary degree to become a veterinarian, or he may earn a degree in animal husbandry, which may be particularly helpful for a person interested in breeding livestock. An individual interested in this field may alternatively seek a degree in zoology, a major that may be well suited to a person interested in breeding exotic animals. Often, a bachelor’s degree is suitable for someone who wants to become an animal breeder, but some people may choose to advance their education by earning graduate degrees.
It’s worth noting that the degree a person needs to become an animal breeder may depend on whether he will work for a company or start his own business. For example, a company may require even those breeding cats and dogs to earn a degree, while an independent breeder may get by without one. Additionally, an animal breeder may need to seek licensing in some places, especially if he is working with exotic animals.
