Cynology is the science of dogs, their breeding and education, the rules of housing, and the historical characteristics of the breeds. Cynologists are people who have in-depth professional knowledge on these issues. Their tasks include studying the habits of animals and training their skills, which may be useful to humans. Cynologists can train dogs to handle demanding tasks on their own, but it is best to have specialized training, knowledge, and skills.
Who is a cynologist
A professional dog breeder should have a number of personal qualities and impressive baggage of knowledge, be emotionally prepared to work with dogs.
It is not enough to learn basic information about a particular breed and universal principles of interaction with animals to become a professional. A cynologist is a multi-faceted profession with a number of specializations. Its representative should be oriented in the anatomy and physiology of pets, the specifics of their development, the nuances of the formation of character depending on the purpose of the species, and conditions of maintenance.
Goals and duties of a specialist
The principles of work and responsibilities of the cynologist are determined according to which of the three conditional divisions he belongs to. The service division trains representatives of certain breeds for search and rescue operations, military and border service. Hunting division involves the development and sharpening of hunting instincts in dogs. Cynologists of decorative profile teach animals the rules of behavior at exhibitions and are engaged in maintaining and emphasizing their characteristic exterior.
The description of the expert’s duties and the full information about the profession depends on the specialization of the dog breeder:
- Instructors – the basic profession of the cynologist, which involves the proper upbringing of the animal and its development in accordance with the features of the breed. Such specialists can work directly with the dog or give instructions to its owners;
- Groomers – they specialize in maintaining the animal’s appearance and providing the care necessary to maintain its health. Today they not only shave and comb their clients’ hair but can also color their coat and give it an unusual look using special techniques;
- Expert cynologists – experts in the characteristics and features of specific breeds. They use this knowledge in describing animals, compiling guides on their keeping, evaluating mastiff representatives at exhibitions, correcting the process of breeding pets;
- Handlers – people who work on perfecting the correct behavior of the participants in exhibitions and shows, on their gait, their ability to behave in public;
- Nutritionists – monitor the animal’s diet, select the best schedule and type of nutrition, food, and supplements for them. They take into account the age, weight, and breed of the pet, its activity level, and state of health;
- Master trainers – dog trainers who are able to instill specific qualities and skills in an individual on request. A true professional will do to make sure that the animal learns everything it needs from him, but at the same time remains loyal to its owner.
There is another separate specialization in the field, whose representatives are engaged in the breeding of animals. This can also include experts who breed new breeds of dogs.
Pros and cons of the profession
The negative aspect of working in this field is considered an increased risk of professional injuries. Dogs can be unpredictable, they can cause bites and scratches to a worker. In fact, such consequences are very rare for cynologists who have received specialized training. Not everyone should expect high earnings in the field, at least at the start of the career. It is possible to make a profit if you breed dogs for sale, participate in exhibitions, and have a lot of experience, which allows you to charge high prices for the services of an expert. It is difficult for some candidates to learn large amounts of information.
The positive aspects of the work of a cynologist:
- constant “communication” with dogs, which positively affects the psycho-emotional state of a person;
- The ability to help people in the emergency services, law enforcement agencies, customs, and other important areas;
- chances of making good money with a responsible attitude to their work and ongoing professional development;
- Some cynologists successfully combine work or study with dogs with other activities. Thus, it is common for many young people to seek assignment help because they simply want to spend more time with the dog.
In practice, the pros and cons of becoming a cynologist are not so important. The attitude of the human being toward the animal comes to the forefront. Dog lovers do not notice the difficulties and negative aspects. They enjoy the process of working with their pets, which often leads to financial well-being.