Dog Vaccines: What’s Really Required and How Often?

Keeping your dog healthy starts with routine vaccinations. But with so many vaccines available, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Which shots are truly necessary? How often should they be administered? This guide breaks down the essential dog vaccines and their schedules to help pet owners make confident, informed choices.

Core vs. Non-Core Dog Vaccines

Dog vaccines fall into two categories:

• Core vaccines: Recommended for all dogs, regardless of lifestyle or location. These protect against serious, often fatal diseases.

• Non-core vaccines: Optional and based on your dog’s specific risk factors, such as environment, travel, or exposure to other animals.

Core Dog Vaccines (Required for Most Dogs)

1. Rabies

   • Why it matters: Fatal and transmissible to humans (zoonotic).

   • Schedule: First dose at 12–16 weeks old, then 1 year later. Afterward, every 1–3 years depending on local regulations and vaccine type.

2. DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)

   • Why it matters: Protects against multiple life-threatening viruses.

   • Schedule: Begin at 6–8 weeks old, with boosters every 3–4 weeks until 16 weeks. Booster at 1 year, then every 1–3 years.

Non-Core Dog Vaccines (Based on Lifestyle)

1. Bordetella bronchiseptica (Kennel Cough)

   • Why it matters: Highly contagious respiratory infection, common in boarding and daycare environments.

   • Schedule: Annual booster; sometimes every 6 months for high-risk dogs.

2. Leptospirosis

   • Why it matters: Bacterial infection spread through water or wildlife; can affect humans.

   • Schedule: Annually; often combined with DHPP as DHLPP.

3. Lyme Disease

   • Why it matters: Tick-borne illness found in wooded or grassy regions.

   • Schedule: First given as a two-dose series, followed by yearly boosters.

4. Canine Influenza

   • Why it matters: Contagious flu-like virus spread in kennels and dog parks.

   • Schedule: Two initial doses, then annual boosters.

Talk to your vet to decide which non-core vaccines are right for your dog based on geography, lifestyle, and risk of exposure.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule

Puppies need a structured vaccination schedule to develop immunity:

• 6–8 weeks: First DHPP shot

• 10–12 weeks: Second DHPP, possible non-core vaccines

• 14–16 weeks: Final DHPP, rabies vaccine

• 12–16 months: Booster for all core vaccines

• Ongoing: Boosters every 1–3 years

Consistent boosters are essential to maintain immunity throughout your dog’s life.

Why Vaccination Matters

Vaccines protect not only your dog but also your family and the broader community. Diseases like rabies and leptospirosis can spread to humans. Others, such as parvovirus, are deadly and expensive to treat. By following a tailored vaccination schedule, you reduce your dog’s risk of serious illness and help prevent outbreaks.

Final Thoughts

Knowing which dog vaccines are required — and when — helps ensure your pet lives a long, healthy life. Work with your veterinarian to create a vaccination plan that suits your dog’s age, lifestyle, and environment. Remember: prevention is far easier, safer, and less costly than treatment.

Learn More
Visit petniq.com for up-to-date canine vaccination guidelines.