Puppy vaccination schedule
Miss a booster and you may have to restart the course. Wait too long to socialise and you create a different problem.
The usual shape of it
- 6–8 weeks — first vaccination, often given by the breeder
- 10–12 weeks — second vaccination
- 1–2 weeks after the second — full protection, outdoor walks begin
- 12 months — first annual booster
Why two doses
Puppies carry antibodies from their mother's milk. Those antibodies protect them early, but they also block a vaccine from working properly. Because nobody knows exactly when maternal antibodies fade in an individual puppy, the course is spaced so that at least one dose lands after they have gone.
This is why a single vaccination is not enough, and why an overdue booster sometimes means restarting rather than continuing.
Core versus non-core
Core vaccines protect against diseases that are widespread, severe, or transmissible to people — in dogs typically distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and rabies where required by law. Non-core vaccines depend on risk: kennel cough matters if your dog boards or attends daycare, leptospirosis where local prevalence is high.
The socialisation problem
The critical window for socialising a puppy closes around 12 to 16 weeks — roughly the same period they are not yet fully protected. Waiting until vaccinations are complete before any social contact produces confident biology and a fearful dog.
The workable compromise: carry your puppy outside to see traffic, crowds and other environments. Invite vaccinated, healthy adult dogs to your home. Attend a well-run puppy class that requires proof of first vaccination. Avoid public parks, pavements where unknown dogs toilet, and any dog whose vaccination status you do not know.
Worming and fleas
Puppies are typically wormed every two weeks until twelve weeks old, then monthly to six months, then regularly as advised. Flea treatment has minimum age and weight limits, so use a product your vet recommends for that age rather than an adult product scaled down.
What each core vaccine protects against
| Disease | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Parvovirus | Severe bloody diarrhoea and vomiting in puppies. Often fatal without intensive treatment, and the virus survives in the environment for months |
| Distemper | Attacks respiratory, digestive and nervous systems. Survivors frequently have permanent neurological damage |
| Infectious hepatitis | Liver disease, can kill within hours in young dogs |
| Leptospirosis | Bacterial, spread through rat urine and standing water. Causes kidney and liver failure, and can transmit to humans |
| Rabies | Legally required for travel in most countries. Invariably fatal once symptoms appear |
Parvovirus is the reason the timing matters so much. It is extremely hardy, survives on pavements and in soil, and is the specific threat that makes an incompletely vaccinated puppy vulnerable in public spaces.
Non-core vaccines and when they are worth it
Kennel cough (bordetella). Worth having if your dog boards, attends daycare, goes to training classes or shows, or mixes regularly with unfamiliar dogs. Most boarding kennels require it, often at least two weeks before arrival — worth checking well before a holiday.
Leptospirosis. Considered core in some countries and non-core in others depending on local prevalence. Risk is higher for dogs that swim, drink from puddles or streams, or live rurally.
Rabies. Legally required for international travel, and the timing rules are strict — pet passport schemes typically require the vaccination at least 21 days before travel. Plan months ahead, not weeks.
What it costs, roughly
Prices vary considerably by country and practice, but the pattern is consistent: the initial puppy course is the largest single vaccination cost, annual boosters are smaller, and many practices offer a monthly health plan bundling vaccinations, flea and worm treatment and check-ups at a lower total than paying separately. If you are budgeting for a puppy, ask about the plan before the first appointment rather than after.
Titre testing
A blood test that measures existing antibody levels, used by some owners to decide whether a booster is needed. It is genuinely useful for core vaccines such as distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus, where immunity often lasts years. It does not work for leptospirosis or kennel cough, where protection is short-lived and antibody levels do not predict it well. It is also typically more expensive than the booster itself, so the reason to do it is usually medical caution rather than saving money.
After the vaccination
Mild lethargy, slight soreness at the injection site and a reduced appetite for a day are common and normal. A small firm lump at the site can persist for a couple of weeks.
Contact a vet urgently if you see
- Facial swelling, particularly around the muzzle and eyes
- Hives or widespread itching
- Vomiting or diarrhoea within a few hours
- Difficulty breathing, or collapse
These are signs of an allergic reaction. They are uncommon but need immediate treatment, and are the reason many vets suggest staying nearby for the first half hour after a first vaccination.
Adult schedule
The picture is no longer "everything, every year". Core vaccines commonly protect for three years, so most practices rotate: one year includes core components, the next two are health checks plus the annual-only components such as leptospirosis. The annual appointment still matters even in a year with fewer injections, because it is when weight, teeth, heart, lumps and joints get checked.
Map out the schedule
Enter a date of birth to see typical vaccination dates and when outdoor socialising becomes safe.
Open the vaccination planner →Enter your puppy's date of birth and first vaccination date to get the actual calendar dates rather than a generic table. Open the vaccination planner →
Common questions
When can my puppy go outside?
Usually one to two weeks after the second vaccination, though the exact interval depends on the vaccine used. Before then, carrying your puppy outdoors lets them experience the world safely.
What if I miss a booster?
Contact your vet. Depending on how overdue it is, the course may need restarting rather than continuing, because the spacing between doses is what makes them effective.
Do adult dogs need annual vaccinations?
Not always for every component. Many core vaccines protect for three years, while others are given annually. Most practices run an annual health check with whichever components are due that year.
What vaccinations does a puppy need?
Core vaccines typically cover parvovirus, distemper and infectious hepatitis, with leptospirosis and rabies added depending on country and local risk. Kennel cough is usually recommended for dogs that board, attend daycare or go to classes.
How much do puppy vaccinations cost?
This varies widely by country and practice. The initial course is the largest single cost, and many practices offer a monthly health plan bundling vaccinations, flea and worm treatment and check-ups for less than paying for each separately.
Is titre testing worth doing?
It can be useful for core vaccines such as distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus, where immunity often lasts several years. It does not work for leptospirosis or kennel cough, and it usually costs more than the booster itself.