Animal Breeders
Education & Training
Preparation
To work as an animal breeder, you must:
- have a high school diploma or GED;
- for livestock breeders, have a bachelor's degree;
- have related work experience in agriculture or animal caretaking; and
- enjoy working with animals.
Education after high school
Formal training requirements for this job vary. Most breeders of livestock animals have at least a bachelor's degree in animal science. If your degree is in another area, you should take classes in animal science. Recommended courses are animal breeding, reproductive science, and genetics. Some professional-technical schools and two-year colleges offer associate degrees in animal breeding. Most people who do research in this area have a master's degree or higher.
Animal breeders who primarily breed pets (cats and dogs and other small animals) can enter this field by learning on the job. In some cases, college course work is helpful but not required.
Work experience
Growing up on a farm provides good work experience. It is also helpful if you join clubs such as 4-H or Future Farmers of America while in high school.
Working as an animal caretaker or trainer also can be good preparation.
On-the-job training
Even if you have a degree, most employers provide additional on-the-job training.
Related Programs (Current training programs available)
Fields of Study (What to study to prepare for this career)
Click on any of the Fields of Study listed below to find out more about preparing for this career.
- Agricultural Business and Management
- Agricultural Production Operations
- Animal Grooming
- Animal Husbandry and Production
- Animal Physiology
- Animal Sciences, General
- Animal Training
- Equestrian Studies
- Genetics
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Technology
- Wildlife Biology
Level of Education
The table below lists the level of education attained by a subset of workers in this occupation. The workers surveyed were between age 25 and 44.
| Education level attained | Percentage of workers in this occupation* |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 4 |
| Some college (includes associate degree) | 10 |
| High school, GED, or apprenticeship | 86 |
* National data
Helpful High School Courses
You should take a general high school curriculum that meets the state's graduation requirements. You will be required to take both math and science classes to graduate.
Helpful electives to take in high school that prepare you for this occupation include:
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Animal Science
- Computer Fundamentals
- Food and Nutrition
Many animal breeders are self-employed. If you want to run your own business some day, you should consider taking these courses as well:
- Accounting
- Entrepreneurship
- Introduction to Business
The courses listed above are meant to help you create your high school plan. If you have not already done so, talk to a school counselor or parent about the courses you are considering taking.
You should also check with a teacher or counselor to see if work-based learning opportunities are available in your school and community. These might include field trips, job shadowing, internships, and actual work experience. The goal of these activities is to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.
Join some groups, try some hobbies, or volunteer with an organization that interests you. By participating in activities you can have fun, make new friends, and learn about yourself. Maybe one of them will help direct you to a future career.
