Social ServicePersonal service workersISCO 5164
dog breeder
Dog breeders oversee the production and day-to-day care of dogs. They maintain the health and welfare of dogs.
About dog breeder
As a dog breeder, you oversee the complete breeding program and daily care of dogs, maintaining their health, welfare, and genetic quality. Your responsibilities include managing animal nutrition, monitoring health status, maintaining breeding records, and ensuring all animals receive appropriate medical care including first aid when necessary. You will work with veterinarians and breeding specialists to plan breeding programs, manage animal biosecurity, and ensure compliance with animal welfare legislation and health regulations.
Your work is critical to producing healthy, well-socialized dogs while upholding high ethical standards and animal welfare practices. You will be involved in hands-on care activities such as feeding, cleaning accommodation, monitoring for signs of illness, assisting with births, and caring for juvenile animals. The dog breeding sector in Poland is growing, driven by increasing pet ownership and demand for quality breeding. Career prospects include opportunities to specialize in specific breeds, develop a reputation for ethical breeding practices, expand your breeding operation, or transition into related roles in veterinary services or animal welfare.
Key Work Functions
Core areas of responsibility for a dog breeder.
1
Breeding Program Management
- Plan breeding programs based on genetic quality, health screening, and breed standards
- Breed dogs and assist with animal births, ensuring safe delivery and immediate post-birth care
- Maintain detailed breeding records including pedigrees, health histories, and breeding outcomes
- Administer breeding-related drugs and medications as prescribed by veterinarians
2
Animal Health Management
- Monitor dogs daily for signs of animal illness, injury, or behavioral changes
- Provide first aid to animals and coordinate veterinary care for health issues
- Conduct health screening and maintain vaccination records for all breeding dogs
- Work with veterinarians to develop health management protocols and disease prevention strategies
3
Animal Care and Welfare
- Provide appropriate nutrition to all dogs based on age, health status, and breed requirements
- Maintain animal accommodation that is hygienic, safe, and meets welfare standards
- Apply animal hygiene practices to prevent disease transmission and maintain health
- Care for juvenile animals including socialization, training, and developmental monitoring
- Monitor the welfare of all animals to ensure they are content, healthy, and properly exercised
4
Biosecurity and Compliance
- Manage animal biosecurity protocols to prevent disease outbreaks and maintain herd health
- Control animal movement to and from the facility in compliance with regulations
- Ensure compliance with animal welfare legislation and health and safety regulations
- Assist in transportation of animals following proper handling and welfare protocols
5
Record Keeping and Documentation
- Create and maintain comprehensive animal records including health, behavior, and breeding data
- Document veterinary treatments, vaccinations, and health incidents
- Maintain professional records for regulatory and accountability purposes
6
Facility Management and Equipment Operation
- Operate farm equipment used for feeding, cleaning, and general facility maintenance
- Manage facility maintenance to ensure safe and healthy living conditions for all dogs
- Dispose of dead animals appropriately according to regulations and ethical standards
European Skills Framework
Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.
Essential (21)
signs of animal illnesssigns of animal illnessPhysical, behavioural and environmental signs of health and ill health in various animals.animal nutritionanimal nutritionAspects of how different animal species are fed and provided water. Different types of animal food, the quality criteria for animal food and methods to feed and give water to animals.animal welfare legislationanimal welfare legislationThe legal boundaries, codes of professional conduct, national and EU regulatory frameworks and legal procedures of working with animals and living organisms, ensuring their welfare and health.health and safety regulationshealth and safety regulationsNecessary health, safety, hygiene and environmental standards and legislation rules in the sector of particular activity.control animal movementcontrol animal movementDirect, control or restrain some or part of an animal's, or a group of animals', movement.manage animal biosecuritymanage animal biosecurityPlan and use appropriate biosafety measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure effective overall biosecurity. Maintain and follow biosecurity procedures and infection control when working ...provide nutrition to animalsprovide nutrition to animalsProvide food and water to animals. This includes preparing food and water for animals and reporting any changes in the animal feeding or drinking habits.'.assist in transportation of animalsassist in transportation of animalsAssist with the transportation of animals, including the loading and unloading of animals, the preparation of the transport vehicle, and maintaining the wellbeing of the animal throughout the transpor...provide first aid to animalsprovide first aid to animalsAdminister emergency treatment to prevent deterioration of the condition, suffering and pain until veterinary assistance can be sought. Basic emergency treatment needs to be done by non-veterinarians ...maintain professional recordsmaintain professional recordsProduce and maintain records of work performed.create animal recordscreate animal recordsCreate animal records according to industry relevant information and using appropriate record keeping systems.maintain animal accommodation hygienicmaintain animal accommodation hygienicMake sure animal enclosures such as habitats, terrariums, cages or kennels are in the appropriate and hygienic condition. Clean the enclosure and provide new bedding material if called for.apply animal hygiene practicesapply animal hygiene practicesPlan and use appropriate hygiene measures to prevent transmission of diseases and ensure an effective overall hygiene. Maintain and follow hygiene procedures and regulations when working with animals,...care for juvenile animalscare for juvenile animalsAssess the needs of the offspring and juvenile animals. Take appropriate action without delay in case of problems with the health of the offspring or juvenile.dispose of dead animalsdispose of dead animalsDispose of dead animals which are not considered a source of meat. Bury or cremate the animal based on the wishes of the owners or on other criteria.monitor the welfare of animalsmonitor the welfare of animalsMonitor animals’ physical condition and behaviour and report any concerns or unexpected changes, including signs of health or ill-health, appearance, condition of the animals' accommodation, intake of...operate farm equipmentoperate farm equipmentSupervise the smooth running of farm equipment which can include high pressure cleaning equipment, heating or air conditioning and monitor the temperature of premises. Make sure tractors and other veh...breed dogsbreed dogsPrepare a suitable environment for dog breeding. Select and prepare the appropriate habitats for specific kinds of dogs. Monitor the dog's growth and health and ensure correct feeding. Identify when t...assist animal birthassist animal birthAssist in animal births, and care for newborn livestock. Make sure the animal has a clean and quiet place where it can give birth. Have clean drying towels handy at hand and a bottle filled with iodin...administer drugs to facilitate breedingadminister drugs to facilitate breedingAdminister specific drugs for synchronisation of breeding cycles to animals in accordance with veterinary and owner instructions. This includes the safe use and storage of drugs and equipment and reco...administer treatment to animalsadminister treatment to animalsAdminister animal medical interventions, including the treatments performed, medicines used, and assessments of the state of health.'.
Optional (16)
animal traininganimal trainingAnimal responses to specific conditions or stimuli. Animal behaviour, ethology, learning theory, training methods, equipment, as well as communicating and working with animals and humans.computerised feeding systemscomputerised feeding systemsThe functioning of computered controlled systems that provide animal feeding.animal behaviouranimal behaviourThe natural behavioural patterns of animals, i.e. how normal and abnormal behaviour might be expressed according to species, environment, human-animal interaction and occupation.assess management of animalsassess management of animalsEvaluate the management of a wide range of animals including the care, welfare and housing environment of animals in a zoo, wildlife park, stable, farm or animal research facility.advise customers on appropriate pet careadvise customers on appropriate pet careProvide information to customers on how to feed and care for pets, appropriate food choices, vaccination needs, etc.advise on animal purchaseadvise on animal purchaseAdvise clients and customers on the purchase of animals.provide advice on pet trainingprovide advice on pet trainingProvide suitable customer advice on how to train pets such as cats and dogs; explain training procedures and the use of accessories.maintain welfare of animals during transportationmaintain welfare of animals during transportationKeep the health and welfare of animals during transportation, including frequent monitoring for signs of stress and symptoms of ill health.assess animal's conditionassess animal's conditionInspect the animal for any external signs of parasites, disease or injury. Use this information to determine own actions and report your findings to owners.train livestock and captive animalstrain livestock and captive animalsTrain animals to facilitate their routine husbandry, for treatment, and/or public demonstrations.implement exercise activities for animalsimplement exercise activities for animalsProvide exercise opportunities that are suitable for respective animals and meet their particular physical requirements.'.work with veterinarianswork with veterinariansConsult veterinarians and assist them in the examination and nursing of animals.assess animal behaviourassess animal behaviourObserve and evaluate the behaviour of animals in order to work with them safely and recognise deviations from normal behaviour that signal compromised health and welfare.'.advise on animal welfareadvise on animal welfarePrepare and provide information to individuals or groups of people on how to promote the health and well-being of animals, and how risks to animal health and welfare may be reduced. Provide recommenda...promote animal welfarepromote animal welfarePromote good practice and work with compassion to sustain and promote high standards of animal welfare at all times by adapting personal behaviour and managing environmental factors.animal welfareanimal welfareUniversally recognized animal welfare needs as applied to species, situation and occupation. These are: need for a suitable environment need for a suitable diet need to be able to exhibit normal behav...
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