Free Guide
Puppy Vaccine Schedule
Complete timeline and checklist, by age.
Enter your puppy's age or birth date to see which vaccines are due now — and what's coming up next.
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Core vs. Non-Core Vaccines
Core vaccines — DHPP, rabies, and leptospirosis — are recommended for every puppy regardless of lifestyle. Leptospirosis was added to the core list in the AAHA's 2024 guideline update because it's zoonotic (transmissible to humans) and has become more common in urban and suburban areas. Non-core vaccines — bordetella, Lyme, canine influenza — are recommended based on your dog's exposure risk, geography and lifestyle. Your vet will help tailor the non-core list to your puppy.
Why Puppies Need Multiple Doses
Puppies get antibodies from their mother's milk, but those maternal antibodies fade out somewhere between 6 and 16 weeks — and it's impossible to know exactly when for any individual puppy. If you vaccinate too early, the leftover maternal antibodies can neutralize the shot before it takes effect; if you wait too long, there's a gap where the puppy has no protection at all. A series of boosters every 2–4 weeks until around 16 weeks closes that gap, so protection reliably kicks in the moment maternal antibodies wear off — that's why the schedule repeats instead of relying on a single shot.
Full Vaccine Timeline
| Age | Vaccines |
|---|---|
| 6–8 weeks | DHPP (1st dose), Bordetella (if high exposure risk) |
| 10–12 weeks | DHPP (2nd dose), Leptospirosis (1st dose), Canine influenza (if recommended) |
| 14–16 weeks | DHPP (3rd dose), Rabies (1st dose), Leptospirosis (2nd dose), Lyme (if in endemic area) |
| 12–16 months | DHPP booster, Rabies booster, Leptospirosis booster, Any other boosters as recommended |
Full immunity typically takes hold about 2 weeks after your puppy's final vaccine dose in the initial series — usually around 16–18 weeks old. Many vets recommend holding off on dog parks and other high-traffic dog areas until then.
Adult Booster Frequency
Once your puppy finishes the initial series, boosters continue on a regular schedule into adulthood:
| Vaccine | Booster Frequency |
|---|---|
| Rabies | Every 1–3 years (per local law and vaccine type) |
| DHPP | Every 1–3 years |
| Leptospirosis | Annually |
| Bordetella | Every 6–12 months (if at risk) |
| Lyme | Annually (if at risk) |
Vaccine Details
DHPP
Core vaccine covering distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus and parainfluenza — four serious, highly contagious diseases. Recommended for every puppy.
Rabies
Core vaccine, required by law in most US states. Fatal, untreatable virus transmissible to humans; first dose usually given around 14–16 weeks.
Leptospirosis
Core vaccine as of the AAHA's 2024 update — bacterial infection spread through contaminated water or wildlife urine, transmissible to humans, and increasingly common in urban and suburban areas, not just rural ones.
Bordetella
Non-core; protects against "kennel cough." Recommended for puppies who will be boarded, groomed or around lots of other dogs.
Lyme
Non-core; recommended for dogs in tick-endemic regions.
Canine Influenza
Non-core; recommended for dogs in high-contact environments like daycare, boarding or dog parks.
This schedule is based on the AAHA's 2022/2024 canine vaccination guidelines. Your veterinarian may adjust doses and timing based on your puppy's breed, health and local disease risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
What shots does my puppy need?
The core vaccines — recommended for every puppy — are DHPP (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza), rabies, and leptospirosis (added to the core list in the AAHA's 2024 guideline update). Non-core vaccines like bordetella, Lyme and canine influenza depend on your dog's lifestyle and exposure risk — ask your vet which apply.
When do puppies get their first shots?
The first DHPP dose is typically given at 6–8 weeks old, with boosters roughly every 3–4 weeks until 14–16 weeks. Leptospirosis is usually added starting at 10–12 weeks, and the first rabies dose at 14–16 weeks.
How much do puppy vaccines cost?
Costs vary widely by clinic and region, but a full first-year vaccine series (including core and some non-core vaccines) commonly runs from around $75 to $200+ in the US.
When is my puppy fully protected?
Full immunity typically kicks in about 2 weeks after the final puppy vaccine dose in the series — usually around 16–18 weeks old. Many vets recommend avoiding dog parks and other high-traffic areas until then.