A guide to puppy vaccinations

You’ve got so many things to do when you bring home a furry new member. One of the most important things to add to your list is getting your puppy’s vaccinations. If you adopted your puppy from a shelter, likely they’ve already received some, if not all, of their necessary vaccines. The shelter will share that information with you and/or your veterinarian.

You can then work with your vet to determine what vaccines or boosters your dog is due for next. If you got your puppy from a breeder or if they haven’t received their vaccinations, your veterinarian will walk you through the vaccination schedule at your pup’s first vet visit.

Because your new puppy will need to visit the veterinarian repeatedly over the first several months, these trips may seem inconvenient. But shielding your new best friend from  dangerous and potentially deadly diseases is worth the extra trips to get vaccinated. The first shots will be at 6-8 weeks of age. You can take care of these at your pup’s first vet visit and plan for the rest of your dog’s vaccines with your vet.

The below table outlines what a puppy vaccine schedule may look like according to your dog’s age. While this is the typical vaccination schedule for many dogs, vaccine schedules may look different from dog to dog.

Determining your dog’s vaccine schedule

Dog vaccination schedules are not a one-size-fits-all for pups. Several factors determine which dog vaccines are necessary, including breed, where you live, and your dog’s unique risk factors. A pup’s weight, health, and age are also taken into account.

Some pet parents get multiple shots in one visit to help reduce the stress your dog has to endure at the vet’s office. Some pups can tolerate this, though other pet parents may choose to reduce soreness and side effects for their puppy by spacing out the vaccinations. Your veterinarian can help determine what’s best for you and your furry friend.

Some canine vaccinations are essential and legally required by state laws. These are called core vaccines because they protect against the most prevalent, dangerous, and contagious diseases. Core vaccines include canine parvovirus, canine distemper, canine hepatitis, and rabies. Non-core vaccines are vaccinations your dog’s vet may recommend based on unique factors such as your dog’s breed or where you live.

Core vaccinations for puppies

While rabies vaccination is the only vaccine required by law in most states, all core vaccinations are essential to ensuring your pet’s safety and health. If you plan to travel with your pet on an airline, you will be asked to provide your pet’s vaccination record. Many doggy daycares and grooming facilities also require proof of core vaccination.

• Distemper. Distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that can wreak havoc on a number of your dog’s bodily systems. Getting your pup vaccinated for distemper prevents this potentially fatal disease.
• Parvovirus. “Parvo” for short, parvovirus is another very contagious disease that causes gastrointestinal tract problems. Pups that don’t get the parvovirus vaccine can also suffer from heart damage or even death.
• DHPP. The DHPP vaccine is a five-in-one core vaccine that prevents distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus, parvovirus, and parainfluenza. Pet owners can consult with their vet to see if the DHPP vaccine is right for their pup; getting this vaccine can reduce the number of vet visits your pup will have to make.
• Adenovirus. Hepatitis (Adenovirus-2) is an acute infectious disease that targets the liver, lungs, kidneys, spleen, and eyes. While dogs may still live after developing a mild form of the disease, getting vaccinated will help prevent painful symptoms such as vomiting, fever, or seizures.
• Parainfluenza. One of the most common causes of kennel cough, parainfluenza is a respiratory illness that affects dogs.
• Rabies. Rabies is an incurable viral infection secreted in the saliva which attacks the nervous system and can cause animals to behave abnormally and aggressively. Most states require all dogs to receive the rabies vaccine.

Rabies in humans Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Federal agency. Go to source is rare in the U.S. but fatal when left untreated. Always seek treatment for a bite, even if an incidence is unlikely.

Non-core vaccinations for puppies

Non-core vaccinations are not required or have any legal ramifications for not getting them. However, your veterinarian may recommend one or multiple vaccines on this list based on your geographical location, your dog’s specific needs based on breed or health history, or your and your dog’s lifestyle needs.

Proof of a bordetella vaccine is often on the list of required vaccines needed for canine airline travel. Many doggy daycares and grooming facilities also require proof of a bordetella vaccination.

• Bordetella. Bordetella is a bacterial-based respiratory disease that causes a severe form of kennel cough. Vets recommended this vaccine based on a pup’s lifestyle and interactions with other dogs
• Canine influenza. Also known as dog flu, this is a contagious viral infection spread by barking, sneezing, and coughing. Social dogs that interact at parks or daycare facilities are at high risk, so vets will often recommend the influenza vaccine for these dogs.
• Leptospirosis. Most common in areas with a warm climate and high rainfalls, leptospirosis is a bacterial disease found in soil and water. If left untreated, this disease can cause permanent liver or kidney damage.
• Lyme disease. Like in humans, Lyme disease Trusted Source Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Federal agency. Go to source is a bacterial infection transmitted through infected ticks. Vaccination against Lyme disease may be recommended for dogs that are often outside and/or live in areas with high-risk factors.
• Coronavirus. Not to be confused with COVID-19, the canine coronavirus affects a dog’s gastrointestinal system, though it can also cause respiratory issues. The vaccine is most recommended in puppies under 8 weeks and usually isn’t continued, though your vet may recommend it based on your pup’s needs.

Adult dogs may require regular booster shots for some vaccinations to continue their effectiveness. They’ll typically receive these at their annual checkup — call ahead to see which shots your dog requires.

Rabies booster rules depend on your state’s laws but typically are required when your pup reaches 1 year old, then every three years. The DHPP vaccine booster is administered every three years after the initial vaccines. Bordetella, leptospirosis, influenza, and Lyme disease boosters are administered annually.

Titer test

Dog owners may opt to give their dog a titer test, which measures your dog’s immune system and can determine which vaccines are necessary. However, the rabies vaccination is not optional for a titer test as it is required by law across the majority of the United States.

The history of veterinary vaccination dates back to 1879 when Louis Pasteur, a French chemist, created a vaccine for chicken cholera. Pasteur followed that up with a vaccine for sheep and cattle anthrax in 1881, according to the National Museum of American History. In 1884, Pasteur tested his rabies vaccination on animals. It was used on humans, too, shortly thereafter.

The first modern vaccine was created by English physician Edward Jenner in 1796. He figured out how to inoculate against smallpox by using fluid from cowpox pustules. However, humans have experimented with other forms of vaccination since 250 BCE.