Your puppy's first-year vaccination schedule

Your puppy is born with some immunity from its mother, but that protection fades over the first few months — right when exposure to disease is most dangerous. Vaccines bridge that gap. Here is how the first year usually looks.

Core vs non-core

Core vaccines are recommended for every dog because the diseases are widespread and serious:

• Distemper
• Parvovirus
• Adenovirus (hepatitis)
• Rabies (legally required in many regions)

Non-core vaccines depend on lifestyle and location — leptospirosis, Bordetella (kennel cough), Lyme and canine influenza. Your vet will advise based on where you live and what your dog does.

A typical first-year timeline

Age	Usually given
6–8 weeks	First distemper/parvo combination (DHPP)
10–12 weeks	Second DHPP; non-core as advised
14–16 weeks	Third DHPP; rabies
12 months	First annual boosters

Exact products and intervals vary by country and vet — treat this as a map, not gospel.

When can my puppy meet other dogs?

This is the question every new owner asks. Until the vaccine series is well underway (usually after the 10–12 week shots), avoid places where unvaccinated dogs gather — dog parks, pet shops, communal walking spots.

But do not lock your puppy away. The socialisation window (roughly 3–14 weeks) is critical for raising a confident dog. Socialise safely: invite vaccinated, healthy adult dogs to your home, carry your puppy in public, and run puppy classes that require proof of vaccination.

Keep records from day one

Note every vaccine, date and product. You will need proof for boarding, training classes, travel and grooming. If you got your puppy from a responsible breeder, the first shots and worming will already be documented — keep that record going.

Always follow your own vet's protocol. This timeline is a general guide, not medical advice for your individual puppy.