Breed Professional Certification
Showcase deep breed knowledge — standards and their working origins, genetics and health screening, and the ethics of responsible breeding — the knowledge buyers and breed clubs expect a professional to hold.
Prove you know breeds beyond the show ring — genetics, health, standards, and matching the right animal to the right home.
No account needed · pay securely with Stripe · 3 attempts included · results in minutes · certificate optional after passing
Not sure yet? Try 3 sample questions free
- Assessment fee
- €19.99
- 3 attempts included
- Certification fee
- €120
- only if you pass
- Questions
- 12
- Time limit
- 60 min
- Renewal
- €30/yr
- keeps it verifiable
That is every fee there is. See what each one buys →
Who this certification is for
If you recognize yourself below, the Breed Professional credential was built for you.
- Breeders who want independently verified knowledge behind their program
- Show exhibitors and handlers deepening their formal breed expertise
- Shelter staff and rescuers making breed-informed placement decisions
- Pet professionals advising clients on breed selection and breed-typical needs
How Breed Professional certification works
From taking the assessment to renewing your credential each year.
1. Take the assessment
12 questions in 60 minutes for €19.99.
2. Get certified
Score 50% or above to unlock your Breed Professional certification for €120, at the standard your score earns.
3. Showcase your badge
Download your certificate, embed your digital badge, and share a verification link anyone can open.
4. Renew annually
Keep your credential active for €30 per year.
What you can do with it
Concrete ways certified professionals put this credential to work.
- Present a verifiable credential covering breed standards, genetics, and responsible breeding practice
- Advise clients on breed selection, temperament tendencies, and breed-specific care with confidence
- Differentiate your breeding program with a certificate buyers can scan and verify
- Show a QR-verifiable certificate to clubs, judges, and prospective buyers
Breed professionals combine knowledge of breed standards and history with modern genetics, health testing, and ethical breeding practice. Puppy buyers and breed clubs increasingly expect breeders and advisors to explain heritable conditions, testing schemes, and responsible pairing decisions — the knowledge that separates careful professionals from volume producers.
Pricing
Pay as you progress — start with the knowledge assessment, and only pay for certification once you've passed. Everything below is the complete list of what PetCred can charge you for this specialty.
Knowledge Assessment
€19.99
one-time
Timed, open-ended assessment — 3 attempts included to close your gaps and pass
Breed Professional Certification
€120
one-time
1-year validity with a PDF certificate, QR verification, and digital badge
Annual Renewal
€30
per year
Keep your certificate and badge verifiable
Physical Certification Kit
€40
optional
A printed certificate shipped to your address
Personalized Study Course
€9
optional, from
Written from the gaps in your own answers, and offered after an attempt. The price depends on how much ground it has to cover.
What the assessment covers
The Breed Professional assessment includes 12 open-ended questions across 8 core topic areas, with a time limit of 60 minutes. Questions are distributed as evenly as possible across the topics, so no single area dominates the test.
- Breed Standards, Groups & Historical Function
- Canine Genetics & Inheritance Patterns
- Hereditary Health Conditions & Screening Tests
- Responsible Breeding Ethics & Practices
- Whelping, Neonatal & Early Puppy Care
- Coat Types, Grooming & Presentation
- Breed-Specific Temperament & Drive
- Matching Breeds to Homes & Buyer Education
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are on the Breed Professional assessment?
The assessment includes 12 open-ended questions spanning 8 topic areas, with a 60-minute time limit. You answer in your own words, and an AI evaluator scores your reasoning.
How long do I have to complete it?
You'll have 60 minutes to complete the assessment once you start.
What score do I need to get certified?
You write answers in your own words and an AI evaluator scores each one out of 10 against published criteria for this specialty; your overall percentage is what counts. You need 50% to be certified. Above that, your score sets the standard recorded on the certificate: 50-64% is Foundation, 65-79% is Professional, 80% and above is Expert. That level is printed on the certificate and shown on its public verification page, so a higher score is worth having rather than just a pass. Below 50% you are not certified and nothing further is charged — you keep your remaining attempts, and the rules are shown again before you start.
Is there a level below the pass mark?
No. Below 50% no certificate is issued at all — there is no participation certificate, which is what makes the ones we do issue worth showing a client. Your report still breaks the result down topic by topic, and you can buy a personalized course written from the answers that lost marks.
What if I don't pass?
Your purchase includes 3 assessment attempts, so your next attempt costs nothing — it is one you have already paid for. A personalized study course, written from the answers that lost marks, is a separate optional purchase; its price is in the table above.
Do I need to renew my certification?
Yes — certifications are renewed annually for €30.
Is a physical certificate available?
Yes, an optional physical certification kit is available for €40.
Does this certification make me a registered breeder?
No. Breeder registration is handled by kennel clubs and national authorities, and legal requirements vary by country. This credential independently verifies your knowledge of breeds, genetics, and responsible practice — it complements registration rather than replacing it.
Does the assessment cover genetics and health testing?
Heritable health conditions, testing schemes, and responsible pairing decisions are central themes of this niche. The topic areas listed on this page are pulled live from the current assessment configuration and show exactly what is covered.
Is this only for dog breeds?
Breed standards, registries, and genetic testing are most formalized in dogs and cats, and that is where most breed professionals practice. The topic list on this page reflects the exact scope of the current assessment.
Free course
Responsible Dog Breeding Fundamentals: A Free 5-Lesson Course
5 short lessons with a quick check after each. No sign-up.
Start the free courseFree tools
- Whelping Kit Checklist · Whelping supplies and preparation to tick off and print, with the signs that mean calling the vet now.
Free guides: Responsible breeding
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Ready to prove your Breed Professional expertise?
Answer open-ended questions in your own words, get an AI evaluation of your reasoning, and earn a credential anyone can verify.
No account needed · pay securely with Stripe · 3 attempts included · results in minutes · certificate optional after passing
Not sure yet? Try 3 sample questions free