Vaccines are the single most cost-effective way to protect your dog from serious, often fatal diseases. But between puppy shots, annual boosters, and the "core vs non-core" debate, it's easy to lose track of what's due and when — especially when the records live on a paper card stuffed in a drawer.
This guide breaks down the full dog vaccination schedule by age, explains which shots your dog actually needs, and shows you how to keep every date in one place so you never miss a booster.
A quick note: This article is for general education. Your veterinarian sets the right schedule for your dog based on age, health, and where you live. Always follow their guidance.
Core vs non-core vaccines: what's the difference?
Veterinary guidelines (from the AAHA and WSAVA) split dog vaccines into two groups:
- •Core vaccines — recommended for every dog, because the diseases are widespread, severe, or a risk to humans:
- Distemper
- Adenovirus (canine hepatitis)
- Parvovirus
- The last three are usually combined into one shot labeled DHPP or DAPP.
- •Non-core vaccines — given based on your dog's lifestyle and local risk:
- Leptospirosis — for dogs exposed to wildlife, standing water, or rural areas
- Lyme disease — in tick-heavy regions
- Canine influenza — for social or frequently-boarded dogs
Dog vaccination schedule by age (printable chart)
Here's the typical timeline. Your vet may adjust it slightly.
| Age | Core vaccines | Optional (lifestyle-based) |
|-----|---------------|----------------------------|
| 6–8 weeks | DHPP (1st) | Bordetella |
| 10–12 weeks | DHPP (2nd) | Leptospirosis, Lyme, Canine influenza (1st) |
| 14–16 weeks | DHPP (3rd) + Rabies | Lyme / influenza (2nd) |
| 12 months | DHPP booster + Rabies booster | Boosters as advised |
| Adult (yearly visit) | DHPP every 1–3 years, Rabies every 1–3 years (per law) | Bordetella every 6–12 months if needed |
Tip: save or screenshot this chart — but a digital record that reminds you automatically is far harder to lose (more on that below).
Puppy vaccinations (6 to 16 weeks)
Puppies are born with some immunity from their mother's milk, but it fades between 6 and 16 weeks. That's why puppy shots come as a series rather than a single dose — each booster covers the window as maternal antibodies wear off.
Missing or spacing these too far apart leaves a gap where your puppy is vulnerable to parvovirus, a highly contagious and often deadly disease. Keep the series on schedule, and avoid high-traffic dog areas (parks, sidewalks) until it's complete.
Rabies is usually given once at 12–16 weeks, then boostered at one year.
Adult dog boosters
After the one-year booster, most core vaccines move to a 1-to-3-year schedule. Some owners and vets use titer testing — a blood test that measures existing antibody levels — to decide whether a booster is truly needed for distemper and parvovirus. Rabies boosters, however, are set by law, not titers, so follow your local requirement.
Does my dog need non-core vaccines?
Ask yourself:
- •Does your dog board, visit daycare, or go to the groomer? → Bordetella
- •Do you hike, camp, or live near wildlife/standing water? → Leptospirosis
- •Are you in a tick-heavy region? → Lyme
- •Is your dog highly social or often boarded? → Canine influenza
If you answered yes to any, talk to your vet about adding it.
How to keep track of your dog's vaccines (so you never miss a booster)
Here's the real-world problem: the schedule above only works if you actually remember it. Paper vaccine cards get lost, faded, or left at the old vet. Reminder dates live in your head. And when you travel — or switch clinics — you're scrambling to prove what's up to date.
The fix is a single, always-current digital record:
- •Snap the vaccine card and let it become a structured record automatically — no manual typing.
- •Get reminded before each booster and deworming is due.
- •Keep every pet's history — vaccines, weight, treatments, vet visits — in one timeline.
- •Share a clean record with your vet, a boarding facility, or for travel in one tap.
That's exactly what PetLover is built for — turning the messy pile of vaccine cards into one organized health passport, with reminders so a booster never slips by.
Frequently asked questions
How much do dog vaccinations cost?
Core puppy series typically runs $75–$150 total, and annual boosters $50–$100, depending on your region and clinic. Non-core vaccines add $20–$40 each. Many shelters and clinics offer low-cost vaccine days.
Are dog vaccines safe?
Yes — serious reactions are rare. Mild, short-lived effects like soreness, low energy, or a slight fever for a day are normal. Contact your vet if you see facial swelling, vomiting, or hives.
What happens if I miss a booster?
For puppies, a missed dose in the series may mean restarting or extending it — ask your vet promptly. For adults, an overdue booster is usually caught up with a single dose, but don't let rabies lapse, as it's legally required.
Do indoor dogs need vaccines?
Yes. Core vaccines (especially rabies) are still recommended and often legally required, and diseases like parvovirus can be tracked indoors on shoes and clothing.
The bottom line
A dog's vaccination schedule isn't complicated — puppy series, a one-year booster, then boosters every 1–3 years — but staying on top of the dates is where most owners slip. Keep an accurate, reminder-driven record, follow your vet's plan, and your dog is protected for life.
