If their mother has a healthy immune system nursing puppies will receive antibodies from their mother’s milk. Once they are weaned, usually about 5 weeks, that immunization begins to wear off. That’s when they begin their veterinary vaccination schedule. Vaccinations are administered in 3 to 4 week intervals usually culminating with rabies at 16 weeks.
Vaccines fall into two categories. Core vaccines and Non-core vaccines.
| Core vaccines | Non-Core vaccines |
| Distemper | Bordetella (Kennel Cough)* |
| Parvovirus | Canine Influenza* |
| Adenovirus (Canine Heptatitus) | Parainfluenza |
| Rabies mandatory in almost all states | Adenovirus Intranasal |
| Leptospirosis | |
| Lyme Disease |
- Note that many daycare, boarding, training and dog park entities – places where groups of dogs are likely to be in close contact – will require these vaccinations.
You can expect your veterinarian to ask several questions about your dog’s lifestyle in order to determine the appropriateness of non-core vaccines.
Here are links to some additional resources:
- Dogs Naturally vaccine chart.
- The American Animal Hospital Association online vaccination resource for owners.
- The American Kennel Club’s complete guide for puppy vaccinations.