Additional Information
Many colleges have animal sciences departments. Students can earn diplomas
or degrees in animal husbandry. Courses in biology, zoology, genetics and
veterinary medicine are also of value to aspiring animal breeders.
Animal breeding is a tough area to get into when it comes to poultry. Fewer
than 10 genetics companies worldwide provide the genetic material commercial
poultry farmers use for their flocks.
"I would not suggest [poultry breeding] as a career path for someone starting
out," says Tom Scott. He is chair of poultry production for an animal science
association. "I think if they're interested in genetics, then they'd have
to go in from an academic background and hope that they would be able to capture
the attention of a multi-breeder."
Educational requirements are less stringent for animal breeders in non-agricultural
fields. Because almost all breeders work for themselves or are hobbyists,
their level of education is a personal choice.
"I've had high school education," says Michael Koetters of Iowa. She has
a full-time job, and breeds Himalayan cats on her own time.
"Other than that, it's self-taught. You'll find that a lot of the breeders
are, basically, self-taught. It's just something that they happened to pick
up and they've enjoyed, so they continue it."
Koetters selects cats for breeding that will produce kittens with desirable
attributes. For Himalayan cats, these attributes include round blue eyes,
a short tail, short and stubby legs, a broad chest, and a round head with
low ears. They also need to have a nice temperament.
Like many breeders, Koetters does it primarily for enjoyment. "In my case,
I may come in with an extra $500 to $1,000 a year, so long as I have a very
healthy litter," she says. "I just enjoy the cats. The kittens are just a
barrel of fun."
As with cats and dogs, breeders of horses own the animals they breed. They
can earn money if they win shows or charge stud fees for the males, but rarely
do they make a living at it. Education can help.
"They would want to get a pretty well-rounded animal husbandry education,
which would include health aspects, basic maintenance, feed, exercise, reproductive
background," says Cheryll Frank. She is the executive director of the Sport
Horse Owners and Breeders Association in Florida.
"If they want to get into breeding on the more technical end of it, with
the pedigree research and manipulation, there's no real formal training for
that. They really need to become immersed in the specific breed that they
have an interest in."
Marianne Alexander agrees. She is a champion breeder of Irish sport horses
at her farm in New York. She says hard work and experience are more important
than education.
"I would suggest to anyone who wants to go into it to apprentice to a breeder,"
Alexander says.
Animal breeding can be demanding -- on your time and on your body. During
breeding season, an animal breeder can be on call at all hours. And if you're
breeding high-maintenance animals such as horses, the work is strenuous.
"It takes a good, strong body to keep horses, unless you can afford to
have paid help," Alexander says. "You sacrifice everything. When other people
go sailing and sit on the beach, we're out shoveling.
"If you're determined, you can do it. But I tell you, it is a very hard
career. It is very difficult -- it is also equally satisfying."