The Animal Genetics and Breeding Department is one of the oldest sections of Mumbai Veterinary College. Initially, the department was named as Department of Animal Husbandry, and was engaged in teaching Meat Hygiene, Animal Management, Meat and Milk Inspection, and shoeing. It was headed by Dr. M.K. Garudachar. The full-fledged department started in the mid-1940s when Dr. F.S. Khambata became the Professor in 1947. Previous professors who contributed to the development of the department include Dr. G.H. Joshi, Dr. S.G. Kshirsagar, Dr. N.S. Tadpatrikar, Dr. M.D. Chauhan, Dr. S.G. Narayankhedkar, Dr. S.B. Nehete, and Dr. U.D. Umrikar. Dr. M.P. Sawane has been in charge of the department since 2016 and is holding the responsibility as Professor of Animal Genetics and Breeding.

The postgraduate course (M.V.Sc.) in Animal Genetics and Breeding was started in the year 1961. The Ph.D. degree course by research was introduced in 1994, and the Ph.D. degree course partly by research and partly by coursework began in 2002. To date, more than 120 postgraduate (M.V.Sc) and 10 Ph.D. students have successfully completed their degrees.

The department established a well-equipped "Genetic Investigation Laboratory" during 2010-2012 under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) funds amounting to Rs. 178 lakhs. The primary objective of the laboratory is to screen breeding animals for cytogenetic and monogenic disorders and prevent affected animals from breeding. To date, more than 1500 animals have been screened for disorders such as BLAD, DUMPS, FXID, CVM, and Citrullinemia. Notable findings include detecting a Holstein Friesian breeding bull carrier for the BLAD defect and identifying a classical chromosomal abnormality (8;29 Robertsonian Translocation) in Gaolao cattle.

The department has also completed externally funded projects worth Rs. 93.00 lakhs and identified probable molecular markers associated with the productivity of various livestock species. A workshop on "Genetic Improvement in Cattle and Buffalo" was successfully organized in 2005, and an action plan for infrastructure development for genetic improvement in cattle and buffaloes in Maharashtra State was submitted.

Besides routine genetic testing of breeding animals, the department is currently conducting research on milk genes in indigenous dairy cattle and fecundity as well as growth genes in Osmanabadi and Konkan Kanyal goats. Training programs on livestock farming such as goat farming, dairy farming, and pig farming were initiated in 1996.

Staff members and students of this department have received national and state-level awards for their contributions to scientific and extension work. Recently, the department staff received the "Active Camel Research Scientist Award 2020" from Camel Publishing House for their excellent contributions to camel research during the Covid-19 pandemic period.