ForPetsHealthcare
Dogs

Dog Vaccination Schedule: What Your Dog Needs and When

By Julia WrenfieldUpdated August 4, 20261 min read
Evidence-based · Sources checked
{"en": "Veterinarian administering vaccine injection to dog during wellness checkup", "es": "Veterinario administrando inyecci\u00f3n de vacuna a perro durante revisi\u00f3n", "fr": "V\u00e9t\u00e9rinaire administrant une injection de vaccin \u00e0 un chien lors d'un examen", "de": "Tierarzt verabreicht Impfung an Hund w\u00e4hrend Gesundheitskontrolle", "nl": "Dierenarts geeft vaccinatie aan hond tijdens gezondheidscontrole", "pt": "Veterin\u00e1rio aplicando vacina em c\u00e3o durante consulta de sa\u00fade", "it": "Veterinario somministra vaccino a cane durante visita medica"}

Vaccinations are one of the most important investments in your dog's long-term health.

Core Vaccines

  • Distemper: fatal viral disease
  • Parvovirus: deadly gastrointestinal disease, especially in puppies
  • Adenovirus: liver disease
  • Leptospirosis: annual booster required

Non-Core Vaccines

  • Kennel cough: recommended for dogs in kennels, classes, or parks
  • Rabies: required for travel in many countries

Puppy Schedule

Young puppy with owner in veterinary clinic waiting room during vaccination appointment
  • 6-8 weeks: first vaccination
  • 10-12 weeks: second
  • 14-16 weeks: third
  • 12-15 months: first adult booster

Adult Schedule

Distemper/hepatitis: every 3 years. Leptospirosis: annually.

#dog vaccination schedule#dog health#dog nutrition#forpetshealthcare

Sources & further reading

This article is based on peer-reviewed veterinary research and reputable animal-health sources. Explore the underlying science in our Research Library.

Related articles

The 19 Best Animal Shelters in the Netherlands (2026)

the Netherlands's animal shelters, rescue associations and refuges save thousands of dogs, cats and other animals every year, almost always on tiny budgets and volunteer power. To build the most objective ranking possible, we analysed public Google reviews across more than 56 registered animal-prote…

Read more →

The 25 Best Animal Shelters in Italy (2026)

Italy's animal shelters, rescue associations and refuges save thousands of dogs, cats and other animals every year, almost always on tiny budgets and volunteer power. To build the most objective ranking possible, we analysed public Google reviews across more than 121 registered animal-protection org…

Read more →

The 48 Best Animal Shelters in Germany (2026)

Germany's animal shelters, rescue associations and refuges save thousands of dogs, cats and other animals every year, almost always on tiny budgets and volunteer power. To build the most objective ranking possible, we analysed public Google reviews across more than 152 registered animal-protection o…

Read more →

The 32 Best Animal Shelters in France (2026)

France's animal shelters, rescue associations and refuges save thousands of dogs, cats and other animals every year, almost always on tiny budgets and volunteer power. To build the most objective ranking possible, we analysed public Google reviews across more than 89 registered animal-protection org…

Read more →

The 8 Best Animal Shelters in Portugal (2026)

Portugal's animal shelters, rescue associations and municipal centros de recolha save thousands of dogs, cats and other animals every year, almost always on tiny budgets and volunteer power. To build the most objective ranking possible, we analysed public Google reviews across more than 86 registere…

Read more →

Sphynx Cat Skin care and hygiene: Causes, Signs & Care

Sphynx cats have little to no coat, which means the skin itself takes on jobs that fur normally does — insulation, oil dispersal, and barrier protection — leaving it prone to greasiness, blocked pores, fungal infections, and sunburn. The single most important thing to know is that a Sphynx's skin ne…

Read more →
Disclaimer:This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute veterinary advice. Always consult a qualified veterinarian for your pet's health concerns.

Free newsletter

Pet health tips, straight to your inbox

Weekly science-backed advice for dog & cat owners. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.