Objectives: Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) are defined as a collaborative approach in which the public and private sector share resources, responsibilities and risks to achieve common objectives and mutual benefits in a sustainable manner. PPPs are identified as one key solution to reinforce Veterinary Services. However only limited information is available on the added value and enabling factors of PPPs in this sector. The aims of this study were to develop a typology of PPPs in the veterinary field and to identify key success factors and obstacles to their implementation. Material and methods: A structured questionnaire was sent to all 181 OIE Member Countries and to 50 private contacts. 47 different variables characterizing the PPP initiatives were collected. Multiple correspondence analysis was combined with non metric multidimensional scaling and K-means clustering to establish a typology of PPPs and derive a set of simple rules to classify new instances of PPPs.Results: 97 examples of PPPs were retrieved from 76 countries. Three clusters were identified separated by two main variables: the type of private partners and the type of interaction. Cluster 1 represented the classic type of PPPs, initiated and funded by the public sector, giving service delivery accreditation to mostly private veterinarians; cluster 2 included partnerships between producers' associations and public Veterinary Services, driven by trade interests; cluster 3 represented joint programs initiated and funded by private companies and initially driven by development objectives. Specific success factors and key obstacles affecting the performances and sustainability of these initiatives were identified for each cluster. Conclusion: This study represents the first practical attempt to develop a meaningful typology for PPPs in the field of animal health, to identify fundamental obstacles currently inhibiting the development of PPPs, and informs ways to support national Veterinary Services t