When does your puppy need shots?
Enter a birth date and get the core puppy vaccine timeline — DHPP and rabies — mapped to real dates you can bring to your first vet visit. Free, instant, and honest about what's core versus optional.
Add a birth date. We'll lay out the visits with real dates.
Not sure of the exact date? An estimate is fine — you can adjust the plan with your vet at the first visit.
What each core shot protects against.
“DHPP” (sometimes DAPP or DA2PP) is one combination shot covering four diseases. Rabies is separate.
| Disease | Type | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Distemper (D) | Core | A serious, often fatal virus affecting the nervous, respiratory, and digestive systems. |
| Adenovirus / Hepatitis (H/A) | Core | Protects against infectious canine hepatitis, which damages the liver. |
| Parvovirus (P) | Core | Highly contagious and frequently deadly in unvaccinated puppies — the reason early shots matter. |
| Parainfluenza (P) | Core | A contributor to canine respiratory (kennel cough) disease. |
| Rabies | Core | Fatal and zoonotic. Legally required in most regions; timing is regulated by law. |
Why puppies need several rounds.
A puppy is born with antibodies from its mother's milk. Those maternal antibodies protect the puppy early — but they also block a vaccine from “taking.” The catch: no one knows exactly when they fade.
So vets give the series in stages. Each dose is another chance to catch the window right after maternal immunity drops, when the vaccine can finally build the puppy's own lasting protection. That's why the final dose around 16 weeks is the important one — and why you keep a puppy away from high-risk places until it's done.
Asked, answered.
When do puppies get their first shots?
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Puppies typically start their core DHPP series at 6–8 weeks of age, while they still have some immunity from their mother. Boosters follow every 3–4 weeks until about 16 weeks. Rabies is usually given once between 12 and 16 weeks.
How many rounds of shots does a puppy need?
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The core puppy series is usually three DHPP doses (roughly at 6–8, 10–12, and 14–16 weeks) plus a rabies vaccine, then 1-year boosters. The exact count can vary with your vet's protocol and when the series started.
Why can't my puppy go to the park before shots are done?
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Full protection against parvovirus and distemper isn't reliable until about 1–2 weeks after the final puppy dose (~16 weeks). Before then, avoid dog parks, pet stores, and places unvaccinated dogs frequent. Puppy classes on clean, controlled surfaces are usually considered lower risk — ask your vet.
What's the difference between core and lifestyle vaccines?
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Core vaccines (DHPP and rabies) are recommended for every dog because the diseases are widespread, severe, or legally regulated. Lifestyle vaccines (Bordetella, Leptospirosis, Lyme, canine influenza) depend on your dog's exposure — boarding, daycare, hiking, or regional risk.
What if we missed a dose or don't know my puppy's exact age?
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Don't panic — vets restart or continue the series safely all the time. Use your best estimate of the birth date here to get a starting plan, and confirm it at your first appointment. This tool is a guide, not medical advice.