Animal breeders breed animals in order to produce offspring with specific traits. Generally, animal breeders specialize in one species, such as cats, dogs, or horses. The animals can be bred to become domesticated pets, livestock, or show animals. The animal breeder will often work with other breeders to find an appropriate mate pair that would fulfill a client's requirements. Once the two animals mate and the offspring is delivered, the offspring is sold. The educational requirements to be hired as an animal breeder vary. On-the-job training may satisfy some employers, while others may require a bachelor's degree in animal science or agriculture.
Job openings for animal breeder can be found in trade publications and classified ads in publications related to pets and livestock. You can search for vacancies at zoos, farms, and any other facility or organization that deals primarily with animals. The interview process will differ according to the requirements of the job and by each employer. Research and engineering firms differ from farms. Regardless, your core competencies will be assessed. Knowledge of genetics, animal biology, fertility, and animal mating behavior are vital to being an animal breeder. Your ability to care for the animals is also important.
To prepare for an interview for animal breeders, make sure that you're familiar with the type of animal that you'll be breeding and the purpose of breeding. For instance, show animals may be bred for aesthetic qualities, while pets may be bred for character traits such as friendliness or aggression. Be prepared to demonstrate your expertise. Think about ovulation cycles, mating behavior, and the genealogy of animals, and articulate how different factors interact with each other to produce different results that are relevant to the job you're applying to. Be specific when possible and consider the objective of the breeding when communicating your knowledge.