Puppy Vaccination Schedule: A Complete First-Year Timeline [2025]

Your new puppy depends on you for protection against serious diseases that could threaten their health and happiness. Vaccinations are your puppy's first line of defense, training their immune system to recognize and fight off dangerous infections before they can take hold.

This complete guide walks you through exactly which vaccines your puppy needs and when they should receive them, helping you navigate their first year with confidence.

Core vaccinations your puppy needs

Core vaccines are considered essential for all puppies because they protect against diseases that are widespread, are highly contagious, or can pose serious health risks. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recommends these vaccines for every puppy, regardless of their lifestyle or location.

These vaccines build a foundation of immune protection for your puppy and are typically required by law, boarding facilities, and doggy daycares:

• Distemper: A viral disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, often proving fatal in puppies and unvaccinated dogs

• Adenovirus: Protects against infectious hepatitis and respiratory disease, both of which can cause severe liver damage and breathing problems, with a mortality rate of up to 10-30% in very young dogs

• Parvovirus: A highly contagious virus that attacks the intestinal tract and can be deadly, especially in young puppies who become severely dehydrated

• Parainfluenza: Contributes to kennel cough and other respiratory infections that spread easily in group settings

• Rabies: A fatal neurological disease that can affect all mammals and poses a significant public health risk. With around 4,000 animal rabies cases reported each year in the U.S., vaccination is legally required in most areas

• Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection can cause kidney and liver damage and was once considered a non-core vaccine, recommended in areas where puppies might encounter contaminated water sources. Updated guidelines from the AAHA consider leptospirosis a recommended core vaccine for all dogs, reflecting evolving perspectives on its prevalence

Non-core vaccinations

Non-core vaccines are recommended based on your puppy's individual risk factors, including geographic location, lifestyle, and exposure to other animals. Your veterinarian will help determine which of these vaccines your puppy needs.

These optional vaccines provide targeted protection against diseases that may be more common in certain regions or environments, including:

• Lyme disease: Recommended for puppies in areas with high tick populations, as this bacterial infection can cause joint pain, fever, and kidney problems

• Bordetella (kennel cough): Important for puppies who will attend doggy daycare, boarding facilities, or dog parks, where respiratory infections spread easily

• Canine influenza: Protects against dog flu strains that cause respiratory symptoms and are becoming more common in urban areas

Every puppy's vaccination needs are unique based on their location, lifestyle, and health status. Connect with licensed veterinarians at Dutch to create a personalized vaccination plan that keeps your puppy protected.

Puppy vaccination schedule: A complete first-year timeline of the shots your puppy needs

When it comes to keeping your new pet healthy, vaccines play a major role. Most puppies start their shots within the first couple of months, with follow-up boosters every few weeks to build strong, lasting protection. This timing is important because puppies are born with some natural immunity from their moms, but that protection fades as they grow. 

6 to 8 weeks old

At six to eight weeks old, puppies still have some antibodies from their mother, but these are starting to weaken. That makes this the perfect time to begin building their immunity with vaccines.

The first vaccine appointment usually includes the DHPP combination vaccine (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza). Some veterinarians may also recommend starting Bordetella vaccination if your puppy will be exposed to other dogs.

10 to 12 weeks old

The second round of vaccinations continues building your puppy's immune response with a DHPP booster. As your puppy continues to lose the antibodies from their mother, the DHPP booster ensures their immune system learns to recognize and fight the diseases it covers.

Depending on your location and veterinarian's recommendations, your puppy may get additional vaccines like Lyme disease or leptospirosis during this visit.

14 to 16 weeks old

The AVMA recommends that the third DHPP booster be given at about four months, so this final vaccine appointment is typically scheduled between 14-16 weeks. This is also when most puppies receive their first rabies vaccine, which is legally required in most areas, though in most states a dog is not considered fully immunized until 28 days after the initial injection.

After this appointment, your puppy is considered fully vaccinated and can safely explore the world beyond your home and yard, although they’ll need additional adult vaccines. Most veterinarians recommend waiting 1-2 weeks after the final puppy vaccine before allowing full socialization with unknown dogs or visiting public spaces, so limit outdoor exposure to your own yard.

12 to 16 months

Your puppy will need their first adult booster vaccines around their first birthday. This appointment typically includes DHPP and rabies boosters to maintain the immunity built during puppyhood.

The exact timing may vary slightly based on which vaccines your puppy received and your veterinarian's recommendations. This is also an excellent time to discuss transitioning to an adult vaccination schedule.

Every 1 to 2 years

Adult dogs need regular booster vaccinations to maintain their immunity against core diseases. DHPP vaccines are typically given every 1-3 years, depending on the specific vaccine used and your dog's risk factors.

Non-core vaccines like Bordetella and canine influenza often require annual boosters, especially for dogs who frequently interact with other pets in boarding, daycare, or training facilities.

Every 1 to 3 years

Rabies vaccines follow varying schedules, with some lasting one year and others providing three years of protection. Your veterinarian will determine the appropriate rabies vaccine schedule based on local laws, the specific vaccines your pet receives, and your dog's individual needs.

Many core vaccines now offer three-year protection for adult dogs, though your veterinarian may recommend more frequent boosters based on your dog's health status or exposure risks.

The cost of puppy vaccinations

First-year puppy vaccination costs typically range from $100 to $250, depending on your location and which vaccines your puppy needs. Core vaccines are generally less expensive than specialized non-core vaccines.

Several factors influence vaccination costs:

• Geographic location: Urban areas typically charge more than rural practices

• Clinic type: Emergency clinics cost more than routine veterinary offices

• Vaccine selection: Combination shots may be less expensive than individual vaccines 

• Package deals: Many clinics offer puppy packages that bundle services

If you’ve signed up for pet insurance, be sure to check your coverage details to see if the plan will cover some or all of your puppy’s vaccinations.

Staying on schedule with your puppy's vaccinations prevents costly treatment of preventable diseases. Treating parvovirus, for example, can cost thousands of dollars compared to the $50-100 cost of prevention through vaccination.

Support lasting health with a clear puppy vaccination schedule

Following a proper vaccination schedule is one of the most important investments you can make in your puppy's long-term health and happiness. These vaccines provide protection against serious diseases that can be expensive to treat and potentially fatal.

Remember: vaccination is just one part of comprehensive puppy care. True puppy wellness also includes proper nutrition tailored for growth, regular exercise to build strong muscles and coordination, and routine health monitoring to catch concerns early.

With Dutch, you gain access to fully licensed veterinarians and specialists who create personalized care plans tailored to your puppy’s needs and your family’s lifestyle. Appointments are flexible, available on nights and weekends, and you can connect quickly through video chats or messaging, eliminating the stress of travel and long waits. Membership plans include unlimited follow-ups, affordable pricing with free shipping on medications, and even door delivery for prescriptions, so your puppy always gets timely care.

Dutch makes preventive care convenient, affordable, and comprehensive—helping you keep your puppy healthy from the start while giving you peace of mind.

Support your puppy’s health from day one with Dutch.

Puppy vaccination schedule FAQs

What diseases do dog vaccines prevent?

Core vaccines protect against distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, parainfluenza, and rabies — all serious diseases that can be fatal or cause permanent health problems. These vaccines are the basics for every puppy's immune protection regardless of lifestyle or location.

Can pets have adverse reactions to vaccines?

Most puppies tolerate vaccines well, but mild reactions like temporary soreness, lethargy, or slight fever can occur within 24-48 hours. Serious allergic reactions are rare but require immediate veterinary attention. If your puppy experiences vomiting, facial swelling, or difficulty breathing after vaccination, take them to your closest emergency in-person clinic.

What happens if your dog isn’t vaccinated?

Unvaccinated puppies face serious health risks from preventable diseases that can cause permanent disability or death. Additionally, most boarding facilities, groomers, and dog parks require proof of vaccination, and many states legally require rabies vaccination for all dogs.

How many shots do puppies need before going outside?

Puppies typically need at least two rounds of core vaccines before limited outdoor exposure and three complete rounds before full socialization. Most veterinarians recommend waiting until 1-2 weeks after the final vaccination (so around 16-18 weeks of age) before allowing unrestricted outdoor access.

At what age is a puppy supposed to be fully vaccinated?

Puppies are considered fully vaccinated at 16-20 weeks of age, approximately 1-2 weeks after receiving their final round of core vaccines. This timeline allows their immune system to develop full protection against the diseases covered in their vaccination series before they’re exposed to other pets or shared areas where they might be exposed.