Vaccines come in two categories, core and non-core vaccines.
Core vaccines include rabies and the DHPP combination vaccine. (There are variants of this vaccine such as DAPP and DA2PP. DHPP stands for Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and Parvo.) These are very serious and totally preventable illnesses. All dogs must get the core vaccines. Non-core vaccines include Leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease, and Influenza. These vaccines are important if these diseases are prevalent in your area, or your lifestyle will expose your dog to them. This is important to discuss with your veterinarian.
It is recommended that puppies have 3 sets of shots, 3-4 weeks apart. It is very important that the puppy’s last set of shots is given at 16 weeks or even later. I say this because puppies’ developing immune systems cannot retain all the antibodies from the vaccines until 16 weeks of age. We give the vaccine in a series to build their immunity over time. Every vaccine takes approximately 30 days to build immunity from that one vaccine. If the last vaccines are given before 16 weeks, there is a chance that the puppy won’t retain the most immunity possible. Puppies can be over vaccinated so I cation to keep records. Over-vaccination in puppies can cause issues as well for example seizure, etc.
To give our puppies the best protection and the least chance of bad reactions from vaccines, we like to vaccinate as close to 8, 12, and 16 weeks as we can. When the puppy leaves our care, they will have received at least his/her first puppy combination vaccine before being released to you. This will include only his first 1-DAPPvl2 Nobivac vaccine, given at 8 weeks. We include the Leptospirosis in our puppy combination vaccine based on the recommendation from our vet.
You will be responsible for making sure your new puppy receives it’s next
two sets of shots at or after 12 and 16 weeks. I always recommend making an appointment with you vet as soon as possible so you can establish a working relationship & your vet will know your puppy in case of an emergency. At this appointment you can schedule with your vet the correct vaccines for your puppy along with proper timing to ensure your puppy is protected.
At your puppies’ 12-week appointment, they should get their second DHPP booster and any optional vaccines you choose. This is something to discuss with your veterinarian based on your lifestyle and area. Also, remember to keep your puppy off the floor of the vet’s office & any other public places. until their vaccines are complete.
All four, off the floor!
At their 16-week appointment, he/she will receive their final DHPP for full immunity, which lasts for the first year of the puppy’s life. At 16 weeks he will also receive his only puppy Rabies shot, which will also last until he turns one. You can also complete the boosters for other vaccines you choose to give at this time. After his 16-week vaccines, your puppy will be fully protected about 30 days post-vaccination.
Puppies need boosters at one year and then every 3 years after that.
| Age | Core vaccines | Optional additional vaccines |
| 8 weeks | DHPP | Bordetella |
| 12 weeks | DHPP | Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, Influenza |
| 16 weeks | DHPP, Rabies | Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, Influenza |
| 1 year (and every subsequent 1-3 years) | DHPP, Rabies | Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Lyme disease, Influenza |
