VetKeeperDog vaccine schedule: core vs non-core
Vets sort dog vaccines into two groups: core vaccines recommended for nearly every dog, and non-core (or lifestyle) vaccines that depend on where your dog lives, travels and spends time. Here's what's in each group and how the timing usually works.
Core vaccines
These protect against diseases that are widespread, serious and often fatal.
- Distemper (CDV) — a virus affecting the respiratory, digestive and nervous systems.
- Adenovirus (CAV-2) — protects against infectious canine hepatitis.
- Parvovirus (CPV-2) — causes severe vomiting and diarrhea, especially dangerous for puppies.
- Rabies — fatal and transmissible to people; required by law in most US states and many countries.
The first three are usually given together in one combination shot. On vet records you'll see it written as DHPP, DAPP, DA2PP or DHLPP (the "L" means leptospirosis is included; the extra "P" is parainfluenza).
Non-core (lifestyle) vaccines
| Vaccine | Protects against | Often recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| Leptospirosis | A bacterial infection spread through urine of wildlife and other animals, often in standing water; can affect kidneys and liver and can spread to people | AAHA's 2022 guidelines recommend it for all dogs in North America; elsewhere it's often given where the disease is common |
| Bordetella (kennel cough) | A common cause of contagious coughing | Dogs that board, go to daycare, groomers, classes or dog parks — many facilities require it |
| Parainfluenza | Another contributor to kennel cough | Often included in the combination shot or the intranasal Bordetella vaccine |
| Canine influenza (H3N2/H3N8) | Dog flu | Social dogs in areas with outbreaks; some boarding facilities require it |
| Lyme disease | A tick-borne bacterial infection | Dogs in or traveling to areas with black-legged (deer) ticks, alongside tick prevention |
How puppy vaccines usually work
Puppies get a series of combination shots rather than a single dose, because antibodies from their mother can block a vaccine from working, and it's impossible to know exactly when those fade.
- The combination vaccine typically starts at 6–8 weeks and is repeated every 2–4 weeks until the puppy is at least 16 weeks old.
- Rabies is usually given once around 12–16 weeks, depending on the vaccine and local law.
- Two-dose lifestyle vaccines (leptospirosis, canine influenza, Lyme) are given as an initial dose plus a second dose a few weeks later.
- A puppy isn't considered fully protected until after the final dose of the series, so ask your vet before dog parks and boarding.
Adult boosters
- Core vaccines get a booster about a year after the puppy series (some vets do it at six months).
- After that, many core combination vaccines are given every 3 years.
- Rabies is boostered at 1 year, then every 1 or 3 years depending on the vaccine used and local law.
- Most lifestyle vaccines — leptospirosis, Bordetella, canine influenza and Lyme — are typically given every year. Some facilities ask for Bordetella every 6 months.
An adult dog with an unknown history, or one that's overdue, may need to restart with two doses. Bring whatever records you have; your vet can tell you what counts.
Reading the due date on your records
Vet invoices and reminder cards usually list both the date given and the date the next dose is due. That "next due" date is what boarding facilities, groomers and daycares check — and the one that's easiest to lose track of with several vaccines on different 1- and 3-year cycles.
Never miss a booster
VetKeeper reads the vaccines and next-due dates from a photo of your vet record, shows which are current or coming due, and reminds you 30 days before each one.