Puppy Vaccines: Age-by-Age Schedule and Costs
Jenna Stregowski brings practical experience in animal care and a broad understanding of pet health and behavior. Her background includes working with animals in clinical settings, giving her a grounded perspective on everyday care, common concerns, and responsible pet ownership.
Quick answer
Puppies start vaccines at 6 to 8 weeks old and get shots every 2 to 4 weeks until 16 to 18 weeks. Then they get booster shots at 12 to 16 months. The core shots cover distemper, parvovirus, and more, given as one DHPP shot. A rabies shot is also given at 16 to 18 weeks. Extra vaccines for Bordetella or Lyme disease may be added based on your dog's risk.
The Age-by-Age Vaccination Schedule
The most important thing to know up front: there is no single schedule that fits every puppy. Where you live, your puppy’s individual health, and how much contact it has with other dogs all shape which vaccines it needs and when. That said, a widely used guideline exists, and your vet will adjust it for your situation.
The schedule below is drawn from AKC guidance (note: that article is sponsored by Purina Pro Plan, which may have a sales interest). Your veterinarian is the right person to confirm which vaccines apply to your puppy.
| Puppy’s Age | Core (Recommended) | Optional by Lifestyle |
|---|---|---|
| 6 to 8 weeks | Distemper, parvovirus | Bordetella |
| 10 to 12 weeks | DHPP | Influenza, leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease |
| 16 to 18 weeks | DHPP, rabies | Influenza, Lyme disease, leptospirosis, Bordetella |
| 12 to 16 months | DHPP, rabies | Coronavirus, leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease |
| Every 1 to 2 years (adult) | DHPP | Influenza, coronavirus, leptospirosis, Bordetella, Lyme disease |
| Every 1 to 3 years (adult) | Rabies (as required by law) | None |
Why Puppies Need Several Shots, Not Just One
Young puppies are especially vulnerable. Unvaccinated dogs and puppies under four months old are at the highest risk of contracting diseases like parvovirus. The Merck Veterinary Manual recommends that puppies see a vet every 3 to 4 weeks until they are 4 months old, which lines up with the multi-dose vaccine series.
The reason for repeated doses is that a puppy’s immune system is still developing. Each shot in the series builds on the last, giving the immune system time to learn to recognize and fight each disease. Skipping or delaying a dose leaves a gap in that protection during a period when the puppy is most at risk.
What DHPP Covers and Why It Matters
DHPP is a combination vaccine. It protects against four diseases in one shot. Those diseases are distemper, adenovirus (also called hepatitis), parainfluenza, and parvovirus. Nearly all veterinarians recommend core vaccines that cover distemper, parvovirus, and rabies. DHPP handles the first three of those in a single injection.
- Distemper: A severe virus attacking the respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems. There is no cure.
- Adenovirus (hepatitis): A highly contagious viral infection affecting the liver, kidneys, spleen, and lungs.
- Parainfluenza: One of several viruses that contribute to kennel cough.
- Parvovirus: A highly contagious virus that attacks the digestive system. Severe dehydration can set in within 48 to 72 hours. Because of this, getting to a vet fast is very important.
Rabies is given separately at 16 to 18 weeks. It is required by law across the United States, and your vet can tell you the specific booster schedule for your state, with boosters often lasting three years.
Optional Vaccines Based on Your Dog’s Life
Some vaccines are not needed by every puppy but become important depending on where your dog goes and what it does. Your vet will help you decide which of these apply.
- Bordetella (kennel cough): Often required before boarding, group training classes, or dog daycare. Both injectable and nasal spray versions exist.
- Lyme disease: Relevant if your dog spends time in tick-heavy areas. Talk to your vet about when your puppy will be old enough for tick preventatives as well.
- Leptospirosis: A bacterial disease found in soil and water worldwide. It can spread from animals to people, so it matters for dogs with outdoor exposure.
- Canine influenza: Recommended for dogs that frequently interact with other dogs in group settings.
The Merck Veterinary Manual puts it simply: your vet will tell you which vaccines your dog needs based on where you live and your dog’s lifestyle. That conversation is the right starting point, not a one-size-fits-all list.
Adult Boosters and the Titer Test Question
Once your dog completes the first-year series, it still needs boosters throughout its life. DHPP is typically repeated every 1 to 2 years. Rabies boosters follow your state’s legal requirement, often every 1 to 3 years.
Some dog owners ask about titer tests before agreeing to annual vaccines. A titer test measures a dog’s existing immunity levels and can show whether a booster is actually needed. This is a reasonable conversation to have with your vet.
There is one firm exception: rabies. A titer test cannot replace the rabies vaccine. Rabies vaccination is required by law across the United States, and no titer result changes that legal obligation. Your vet can confirm the exact schedule for your state.
For general vet visit frequency, adult dogs should see a vet at least once a year. Senior dogs, generally those over 7 to 8 years old, should go twice a year or more.
What Puppy Vaccines Typically Cost: An Illustrative Example
Costs vary by location. Vets in urban areas generally charge more than those in small towns, and low-cost clinics or animal shelters often charge much less. The figures below come from AKC guidance and do not carry a specific publication date. Treat them as a rough starting point rather than a guaranteed price.
According to that guidance, the core vaccine series (DHPP given in three visits at 6, 12, and 16 weeks) averages around $75 to $100 total. The rabies vaccine is usually around $15 to $20, though some clinics include it in the core package price. Animal shelters often charge approximately $20 or less, and some offer vaccines for free.
Illustrative example (checked arithmetic): If a clinic charges $75 for the core DHPP series and $15 for rabies separately, your first-year core cost would be $75 + $15 = $90. At the high end of those ranges, $100 + $20 = $120. These figures cover only the core vaccines. They do not include exam fees, lifestyle vaccines, heartworm prevention, or parasite testing, which your vet may add to each visit.
If cost is a concern, ask your vet how vet visit schedules work by life stage. Also ask whether a local shelter clinic offers a lower-cost option for the first round of shots.
Heartworm: No Vaccine, but Prevention Starts Early
Heartworm is not covered by any vaccine. When your puppy is around 12 to 16 weeks old, talk to your vet about starting a heartworm prevention medicine. Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes and can grow large inside the heart and pulmonary arteries. Dogs should be tested for heartworm every year. They should also receive heartworm prevention medicine year-round. This is a prescription item your vet will provide. You can read more about deworming schedules by life stage for related parasite prevention context.
When to Call Your Vet Right Away
Vaccines are a routine part of puppy care, but some situations call for an immediate call to your vet rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit. The Merck Veterinary Manual lists these warning signs that a dog may be sick:
- Not eating or much less active than usual
- Vomiting or diarrhea
- Urinating more or less often than normal
- Coughing, sneezing, or discharge from eyes, ears, or nose
- Hair loss, excessive itching, or red spots on the skin
- Limping or not putting weight on a leg
If your puppy shows any of these signs for more than a day or two, schedule a vet visit. For dental care, which also starts in puppyhood, see how to brush a dog’s teeth for a step-by-step approach your vet will likely recommend alongside the vaccine schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Can my puppy go to the dog park before finishing all its shots?
Unvaccinated puppies and those under four months old are at the highest risk for diseases like parvovirus, which spreads easily in shared spaces. Most vets recommend waiting until the full series is complete before exposing your puppy to unknown dogs. Ask your vet for a specific clearance date based on your puppy's schedule.
What happens if my puppy misses a vaccine appointment?
The series is designed with specific intervals to build immunity progressively. If you miss an appointment, contact your vet as soon as possible rather than waiting for the next scheduled visit. Your vet will advise whether the series needs to restart or can simply continue from where it left off, depending on how much time has passed.
Does my dog still need the rabies vaccine if it never goes outside?
Yes. Rabies vaccination is required by law across the United States regardless of your dog's lifestyle. A titer test cannot substitute for the legal rabies requirement. Your vet can confirm your state's specific booster interval, which is often every three years.
Is Bordetella required, or just recommended?
Bordetella is listed as an optional lifestyle vaccine, not a universal core requirement. However, most boarding facilities, group training classes, and dog daycares require proof of Bordetella vaccination before they will accept your dog. If you plan to use any of those services, your vet will likely recommend it.
Can a titer test replace annual DHPP boosters for adult dogs?
Titer tests measure a dog's existing immunity and can help determine whether a DHPP booster is needed. Some vets accept titer results in place of automatic annual boosters. The one firm exception is rabies: a titer test cannot legally replace the rabies vaccine in the United States. Discuss the titer option with your vet to decide what fits your dog.
Sources
- Vaccination Guidelines - WSAVA · World Small Animal Veterinary Association (wsava.org)
- Routine Health Care of Dogs - Dog Owners · Merck Veterinary Manual (merckvetmanual.com)
- A Complete Guide To Puppy Vaccinations · American Kennel Club (akc.org)
Prepared from these references and checked against them. References retrieved October 11, 2026.
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