Puppy Vaccination Schedule
Seasoned dog breeders and experienced veterinarians will agree, the first few months of a puppy’s life are crucial when it comes to their long-term health and wellness. This foundational period is heavily dependent on adhering to a strict puppy vaccination schedule.
A comprehensive vaccination schedule is your first step toward safeguarding your puppy against a number of potentially fatal diseases. By taking this into account, you’re helping ensure that your dog is able to grow into the happy, healthy and resilient adult dog that they deserve to be.
Understanding Immunity in Puppies
Before we start talking about the importance of the puppy vaccination calendar, it’s important to have a working knowledge of disease immunity in puppies. The first milk (colostrum) that puppies get from their mother provides them with a form of temporary immunity.
This inherited immunity is effective for a few weeks – anything their mother is immune to, they will be as well. However, it’s important to remember this is only temporary and the immunity will wane with time. By the time they’re a couple of weeks old, puppies will be vulnerable to a number of infections and diseases. It’s here where vaccinations start to be given.
What are Puppy Vaccines?
Vaccines are biological preparations that provide immunity against specific diseases. When injected into the body, these vaccines contain antigens that effectively teach the body to recognise and fight against a specific type of disease.
While the side effects of the immune response may result in a low-grade fever, this is nowhere near as dangerous as being exposed to the actual, live disease without vaccination. This process ensures that if the puppy encounters the actual disease later in life, its immune system can recognize, respond to, and neutralise the threat rapidly. Vaccines are, in the overwhelming majority of cases, 100% safe for puppies.
The Role of a Puppy Vaccination Schedule
A puppy’s developing immune system means they need to be protected – with the many potential infections that they may encounter in their environment, there must be a systematic approach to vaccination. That’s why a puppy vaccination calendar is so important.
This schedule isn’t arbitrary. It’s formulated to coincide with the puppy’s physiological readiness to receive and respond to each vaccine. Each recommended vaccine on the calendar is timed to ensure optimal immune response, minimising the risk of overlapping with the waning maternal immunity and maximising the likelihood of the puppy’s body developing a robust defence mechanism.
The vaccination calendar also serves as a sort of safety net, ensuring that there are no prolonged periods of time where the puppy might be left unprotected, especially during their vulnerable early months.
Some vaccines are not a one-time affair and require numerous doses, often referred to as booster shots, to maintain or reinforce the immunity. This need for multiple doses makes the calendar even more essential, ensuring each booster is administered at the ideal interval after the primary dose, before the immunity starts to wear off.
Potential Consequences of Skipping or Delaying Vaccinations
Every dog owner knows that their puppy can tend to have a knack for exploring – often to their own detriment. Their willingness to explore new environments is both a blessing and a curse, as some environments may put them at risk of exposure to infections.
By skipping or delaying a vaccine, they become more susceptible to diseases, some of which can be incredibly dangerous to a puppy’s delicate constitutions, such as Parvovirus, Distemper, and Rabies. What’s more is that an unvaccinated puppy could unknowingly become a carrier, posing a threat to other dogs and potentially triggering disease outbreaks.
Core vs. Non-Core Vaccines
Canine vaccinations can be broadly divided into two categories: core and non-core vaccines. Core vaccines are universally recommended for all puppies, regardless of their breed, location, and lifestyle. These often include protections against threats like Rabies, Canine Distemper, Canine Parvovirus, and Canine Adenovirus. These are the biggest risks to a dog’s health, and are found around the world.
On the other hand, non-core vaccines are more selective, administered based on specific risk factors, which might include the puppy’s environment, activities, or the geographical prevalence of certain diseases. Consult with a trusted veterinarian to determine which non-core vaccines are the best fit for your pets.
Customising the Calendar
Yet, while there exists a general vaccination schedule, the nuances of individual puppy needs mandate collaboration with a veterinarian. Every puppy is unique, and factors like their health status, breed, age, and potential environmental exposures might require slight modifications to the standard calendar.
Tailoring this calendar ensures that your puppy’s vaccination protocol is both comprehensive and specific to their individual needs.
A puppy vaccination calendar is more than just a set of dates; it’s a roadmap to a healthy life for your pet. By following this schedule meticulously, you not only give your furry friend the best chance at a long, healthy life but also contribute to a safer, more resilient canine community.
Always consult with a veterinarian to ensure your puppy’s vaccination calendar is up-to-date and tailored to their individual needs. To help RPBA members stay on top of their puppy vaccination schedule, we offer a downloadable Puppy Worming & Vaccination Calendar in the RPBA Members Only Section, alongside templates and documents for almost any other breeder need:
Become a member today to gain access to Educational Health Waivers, Printable Breeder Templates, and discounts.
RPBA is an Australian Breeding Organisation that accepts both purebred and crossbreed dog breeders. Our Beginner Breeder Guide is designed to help you with all the steps involved in how to become a registered breeder with RPBA.
How to become a Responsible Breeder
Apply
Within 24 Hours You’ll Hear Back From Us
Review
Our In-house Veterinarian Reviews Your Photos & Application
500+ Veterinarian Approved Property Audits Conducted, 50,000+ Property Photos & Videos Reviewed, 50+ Supported Police Investigations
Trusted by Nearly 20,000+ Families
Find the answers you need
Membership instalments can be paid monthly or annually. Payments can be made via credit card, debit card or a PayPal account.
No, you do not need a PayPal account. During checkout, you will be given the option to pay via PayPal login or a credit or debit card via Stripe.
Yes, as long as you agree to follow our code of ethics, best practice animal welfare standards and your state’s legislation in regards to pets and breeders.
Members must declare that they comply with their state’s legislation in regards to pets and breeding.
Members must declare that they do and will always follow best practices and uphold animal welfare standards for their animals.
For more information and to become a member please sign up here.
Please note that we do not accept breeders with more than 10 breeding bitches. And we do not accept breeders who have been found guilty of any animal welfare or cruelty offences.
Membership instalments can be paid monthly or annually. Once payment has been made via the below link, you can log in to the Members Only Section to finalise your application. Payment can be made via PayPal. If you do not have an account, PayPal can still process card payments without an account.
We offer information on how to prepare for your first litter, the things you should have at home for your breeding set-up, and legislation references to ensure you are meeting the requirements.
Yes, we do! We are an inclusive club and we believe that both pedigree and non-pedigree breeders should follow the same level of care and consideration. Responsible Pet Breeders Australia is all about the responsible and ethical upbringing of all breeds.
Once your application is completed in full and received, it will be reviewed by RPBA in house veterinarian. You will hear back from us within 24 hours. If further information is required, you will be contacted. Sometimes we may request further information or photos if they are unclear, ensure you check your email or junk mail in case we have contacted you.
We are Australian owned, government recognised, and focus on education with our vet-curated breeder resources and templates. We do not support puppy farmers, and do not accept members with more than ten breeding bitches and/or queens.
RPBA is Australia’s largest community for all breeds. 29% of Australian’s have been judged by their pet’s colour, look, heritage, or breed. We are an all inclusive community and we do not discriminate.
No, you do not need a PayPal account, as during checkout you will be given the option to pay via PayPal login or a credit card or debit card without a PayPal account needed. Please note that all payments are processed by our third-party provider PayPal.