Dog Vaccination Schedule by Age
Complete dog vaccination schedule from puppy (6-8 weeks) through adult boosters — DHPP, rabies, Bordetella and lifestyle vaccines.
| Age | Vaccines / care |
|---|---|
| 6-8 weeks | DHPP #1 (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus); deworming often starts here |
| 10-12 weeks | DHPP #2; Bordetella (kennel cough) if boarding/daycare; leptospirosis where risk exists |
| 14-16 weeks | DHPP #3; Rabies #1 (legally required in all states, usually at or after 12-16 weeks) |
| 6 months | Lifestyle vaccines if needed: Lyme, canine influenza (ask your vet) |
| 1 year | DHPP booster; rabies booster; Bordetella booster |
| Every 1-3 years | DHPP booster (commonly every 3 years after the 1-year dose); rabies per state law (1- or 3-year vaccine); Bordetella annually if exposed |
Non-core vaccines (discuss with your vet)
- Lyme — for tick-heavy regions.
- Canine influenza — dog parks, daycares, grooming.
- Leptospirosis — water exposure, wildlife contact.
- Rattlesnake vaccine — southwest hiking areas.
Key notes
- Core vaccines (DHPP, rabies) are recommended for all dogs regardless of lifestyle.
- Puppy doses are spaced because maternal antibodies fade between 6-16 weeks.
- Antibody titer testing can show whether an adult dog needs a booster.
Based on AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines. Reviewed 2026.
Informational only — always follow your veterinarian's recommendations for your pet.
Understanding your dog's vaccination schedule
Dog vaccination schedules follow a carefully timed sequence designed to protect puppies during the critical window when maternal antibodies wane. Puppies receive antibodies from their mother's colostrum that provide temporary protection but can also interfere with vaccine effectiveness. This is why veterinarians administer multiple doses of core vaccines like DHPP between 6 and 16 weeks of age — each dose builds immunity as the maternal protection fades.
Rabies vaccination deserves special attention because it is the only vaccine mandated by law in all 50 US states. Most states require the first rabies shot between 12 and 16 weeks of age, followed by a booster at one year, then subsequent boosters every one or three years depending on the vaccine type and local regulations. Failure to maintain current rabies vaccination can result in fines, mandatory quarantine, or even euthanasia of your pet if it bites someone while unvaccinated.
Non-core vaccines like Lyme disease, canine influenza, and leptospirosis are recommended based on your dog's lifestyle and geographic risk. A dog that hikes in tick-heavy forests faces different risks than one that lives in an urban apartment. Your veterinarian will assess these factors during each visit and recommend the appropriate combination of lifestyle vaccines. Antibody titer testing — a blood test that measures existing immunity — can sometimes replace routine boosters for DHPP, though it cannot substitute for legally required rabies vaccination.
Small breed dogs generally follow the same vaccination schedule as larger breeds, though some veterinarians recommend spacing out combination vaccines to reduce the risk of injection-site reactions. If you miss a scheduled dose, contact your vet promptly — most pets can resume the series without starting over, but prolonged gaps may require restarting certain vaccines to ensure adequate protection.