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This article investigates the dynamics of the relationships between the State and professional groups by analyzing the case of the veterinarians. It shows that these relationships are not limited to the construction and the defence of a jurisdiction but also concern the regulation of professional activity, i.e. the definition of knowledge, practices modalities of exercise, sources of incomes, etc. Having examined the process of professionalization of veterinarians from the 19th century onwards, the article analyses the ways sanitary public policies (in particular in the domains of slaughterhouse inspection, farm animal health management, and drugs regulation) contribute to regulate veterinarians’ activity, in their relations to their clients, their professional competitors, and amongst themselves.