Dog vaccination schedule: core vaccines, puppy series and boosters

"What shots does my dog need, and when?" has no single answer, because vaccination depends on your dog's age, lifestyle, local disease risks and the law where you live. What does exist is a clear framework, published by veterinary organizations, that your veterinarian applies to your dog. This guide explains that framework in plain language, based on the 2024 guidelines of the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) and the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) canine guidelines, and then shows how to keep track of it all. It is a guide for understanding the conversation with your vet, not a replacement for it.

Core and non-core: the basic split

Both WSAVA and AAHA divide vaccines into core (recommended for all dogs) and non-core (recommended depending on lifestyle and local risk).

Notice that the lists differ slightly by organisation and have changed over time (AAHA added leptospira as a core vaccine in a 2024 update). That is normal: guidelines are updated as evidence and disease patterns change, and local conditions matter. If your dog lives in a region with high leptospirosis or rabies risk, your vet's advice may differ from a generic list.

The puppy series

Puppies receive antibodies from their mother's milk, and those maternal antibodies can block a vaccine from working. That is why puppies need several doses rather than one. WSAVA's guidance for puppies and kittens is to give multiple core doses every 2 to 4 weeks, with the final dose at 16 weeks of age or older. If only one dose is possible for an animal, WSAVA says it should be given at 16 weeks or later. It also says to revaccinate at or after 26 weeks of age to protect animals that still had maternal antibodies at 16 weeks.

The age at which the series starts, and the exact products, depend on your vet and the risk where you live. Do not copy a schedule from a website for your puppy; ask your veterinarian for one, and write it down. A dated record of each visit, with the vaccine name, makes it easy to see whether a dose was missed.

Boosters and adult dogs

For adult dogs, WSAVA says that the duration of immunity (DOI) provided by most modern modified-live-virus core vaccines is many years, and that core vaccines should not be given more frequently than necessary in adult animals. For non-core vaccines it says the DOI is about 1 year for most, which is why non-core vaccines are typically repeated yearly if the risk persists, and it notes that annual health checks often include vaccines that need yearly administration.

What this means in practice: "annual vaccinations" is not a single thing. Some vaccines are given at longer intervals and some yearly, and the schedule depends on the vaccine, your dog and your local law. The annual vet visit is still worth keeping, because it is also a health check, a weight check and a chance to ask questions, even when no vaccine is due that year. Ask your vet which vaccines your dog is due for and when, and put the dates in your reminders.

Rabies is often a legal matter

Rabies vaccination is core where rabies is endemic, according to WSAVA, and in many countries and regions it is also required by law, with specific rules on timing, certificates and travel. The rules differ, so check with your veterinarian or local authority rather than relying on a general schedule. If you plan to travel with your dog, find out the requirements well in advance, since some destinations require paperwork and waiting periods.

What to record for every vaccination

A vaccination record is only useful if it is complete. At every vaccination, write down:

• The date and the name of the clinic or vet.
• The vaccine name (or what the vet says it covers), plus the manufacturer or batch number if the certificate lists it.
• The next due date as the vet advises.
• Any reaction, even mild, such as lethargy for a day, and when it happened. If your dog ever has a reaction, tell the vet before the next dose.
• A photo of the certificate or booklet page. Paper gets lost when you move house or change vets.

Pawfolio keeps vaccines, parasite care and vet visits in one place for each pet, with the next due date and reminders before it passes. You can see how it works on the Pawfolio home page and read about what to keep in a pet health record.

Common questions to ask your vet

• Which of these vaccines are core for my dog here, and which non-core ones does my dog's lifestyle make sensible (boarding, grooming, dog parks, travel, hunting)?
• When is the next dose due, and what should I do if I miss the date?
• Is my dog's rabies vaccination up to date for local law and for travel?
• What reactions should I watch for after vaccination, and when should I call?
• Are there health conditions or medications that change the plan?

Missed a dose? Do not panic, do not guess

If a booster is overdue, the correct response is to call your vet, not to look up a rule online. Depending on the vaccine and how late it is, the vet may simply give the dose, or may restart part of a series. This is a decision that depends on your dog's history, which is another reason to keep accurate records. A complete record turns a ten-minute phone call into a clear answer.

Keeping the schedule without stress

1. After each visit, enter every vaccine and its next due date straight away, while you remember.
2. Set the reminder a couple of weeks before the due date so that you can book an appointment.
3. Photograph the certificate and keep it with the record.
4. Check the record before boarding, grooming or travel, since these often require proof.
5. Review once a year at the annual check-up and ask the vet to confirm what is due.

Pawfolio and this website do not replace veterinary care. Vaccine schedules, products and intervals depend on your dog, your location and your veterinarian's advice. If your dog seems unwell after a vaccination, call your vet immediately.

Frequently asked questions

What vaccines do dogs need?

WSAVA lists distemper (CDV), adenovirus (CAV) and parvovirus (CPV-2) as core for all dogs, with rabies and leptospirosis core where they are endemic. AAHA lists distemper, adenovirus, parvovirus, rabies and, since a 2024 update, leptospira as core. Non-core vaccines depend on lifestyle and local risk.

How many puppy shots are needed?

WSAVA advises several core doses every 2 to 4 weeks, with the final dose at 16 weeks of age or older, and a revaccination at or after 26 weeks. Your vet sets the actual schedule for your puppy.

Do adult dogs need yearly vaccines?

It depends on the vaccine. WSAVA says the duration of immunity of most modern core vaccines is many years and that they should not be given more often than necessary, while most non-core vaccines last about a year. Ask your vet which vaccines your dog needs and when.

Is the rabies vaccine required by law?

In many countries and regions it is. Rules on timing and certificates differ, so check with your veterinarian or local authority, especially before travelling.