What Vaccines do Dogs Need?

Dogs are susceptible to several diseases, but you can protect them from some threats by vaccinating them. Vaccines help your dog’s immune system fight off specific diseases, but they frequently won’t need all canine vaccines.

Core vaccines are those highly recommended for all dogs and include rabies, parvovirus, parainfluenza, hepatitis, distemper, and leptospirosis. Non-core vaccines are only recommended for some dogs, and include those for Lyme, Bordetella, and influenza. Your dog’s veterinarian will help you determine which non-core vaccines your dog needs and ensure they get on the right vaccine schedule.

TLDR: All dogs need the core vaccines: distemper, parvovirus, leptospirosis, parainfluenza, canine hepatitis, and rabies, which is legally required in most states. Your vet may also recommend non-core vaccines such as Bordetella, Lyme, and flu.

Why are vaccines important for dogs?

If your dog spends the majority of their time in your home and yard, you may think they’re not at risk for contracting the diseases. Unfortunately, any dog who goes outside is at risk, and vaccines can help protect them. Your veterinarian will recommend the vaccines that are most important for your dog, based on their lifestyle, location, and other risk factors.

If you’re leery about vaccination because you’re concerned about your dog reacting negatively to them, be assured that fatigue and soreness at the injection site are common but should only last a day or so. Other side effects — such as vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing are far less common — and vaccine benefits far outweigh the low likelihood of these reactions occurring. If you are concerned about potential vaccine reactions, a premedication (typically an antihistamine and/or a steroid) can be administered before vaccinating to help minimize most side effects.

What are the core vaccines for dogs?

If you’re wondering which shots dogs need, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) deems certain core vaccines essential for all dogs, regardless of their exposure risk. (Vaccines that aren’t considered core vaccines are called non-core vaccines.) The core vaccines your dog will need include the following.

Rabies vaccine for dogs

The rabies vaccine is legally required in most states. Rabies affects the central nervous system and is typically spread through bites from infected animals. Seizures, drooling, paralysis, aggression, and ultimately death may occur in infected dogs, since there is no treatment or cure for unvaccinated canines.

Distemper vaccine for dogs

The “D” part of the combination vaccine, commonly known as the DAPP or DHPP vaccine, represents distemper, a virus that infects a dog’s lymphatic tissues and subsequent bodily systems. The distemper virus causes respiratory issues, seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, and fevers. It most often infects young dogs.

Canine hepatitis vaccine for dogs

Infectious canine hepatitis is caused by an adenovirus spread through urine as well as nasal and eye discharge. The hepatitis vaccine is the “H” or “A” part of the DHPP or DAPP combination vaccine, and helps prevent your dog from being infected by the virus. In mild cases, a pup may experience respiratory symptoms, a decreased appetite, fever, and eye cloudiness. In severe cases — which typically occur only in puppies — vomiting, diarrhea, jaundice, edema, and even death can occur.

Parvovirus vaccine for dogs

A common, very contagious disease in unvaccinated puppies, parvo is caused by the canine parvovirus type 2 (CPV) and can be found in nearly any kind of environment. The first “P” in the DHPP or DAPP combination vaccine stands for parvovirus. The vaccines help prevent this virus from infecting your dog. Symptoms of the disease include bloody diarrhea, vomiting, fever, lethargy, a lack of appetite, and even death.

Canine parainfluenza vaccine for dogs

Parainfluenza is an upper respiratory disease that can infect any dog. It is easily spread through coughing and can also cause a fever, lack of energy, loss of appetite, and nasal discharge. The canine parainfluenza vaccine can help prevent serious symptoms from developing and is typically indicated by the second “P” in the DHPP or DAPP combination vaccines as well as with the Bordatella non-core vaccine.

Canine leptospirosis vaccine for dogs

Often referred to as lepto, leptospirosis is caused by a Leptospira bacteria and is easily spread through contaminated water. It can cause a variety of symptoms, including vomiting, diarrhea, joint stiffness, and even kidney failure. The lepto vaccine for dogs can be given alone or as part of the DHLPP or DALPP combination vaccines.

Non-core dog vaccines

Unlike core vaccines, non-core dog vaccines are not recommended for all dogs. Your veterinarian will recommend which of these vaccines, if any, your dog needs based on their lifestyle, environment, and other risk factors.

Bordetella vaccine for dogs

Often called the kennel cough vaccine, the Bordatella vaccine helps prevent respiratory disease caused by Bordatella bacteria. It is highly contagious and spreads through the air. There are injectable, oral, and intranasal versions of this vaccine available.

Canine influenza vaccine for dogs

Similar to the Bordatella vaccine, the canine influenza vaccine helps prevent respiratory disease. Unlike Bordatella though, influenza is a virus and has two primary strains, H3N8 and H3N2. Influenza can cause complications in at-risk dogs, such as puppies, seniors, flat-faced dog breeds, and dogs with underlying heart and health issues.

Lyme disease vaccine for dogs

Lyme disease is caused by a bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi and is spread through certain kinds of tick bites. The disease can cause joint swelling, lameness, swollen lymph nodes, and even serious kidney disease. If your dog is at risk for this disease, your veterinarian may recommend the Lyme vaccine for them.

What are boosters? 

Vaccine boosters are usually needed throughout the life of your dog. Since a vaccination does not protect your dog forever, boosters increase the amount of antibodies (for any given disease) in your dog. Some vaccines only require a booster once every three years, while others need boosters annually. Alternatively, some vaccines have titer tests available to check if your dog’s immunity to a disease is high enough that they don’t need a booster.

Dog vaccination schedule

If you have a new puppy or have adopted an adult dog with an unknown vaccine history, they will require more than one vaccine on a specific schedule to ensure they are appropriately protected. Core vaccines that your puppy or adult dog needs should be administered according to the following schedules. 

Canine Core Vaccine Schedule

Commonly asked questions

Do vaccines have risky side effects for dogs?

No, vaccines have a low likelihood of causing any serious side effects in your dog. Soreness at the injection site and lethargy are typically the only side effects. If you are concerned about less common but more serious side effects, such as difficulty breathing, vomiting, or diarrhea, ask your veterinarian about giving your dog a premedication of antihistamines and/or steroids.

What is the average cost to adopt a dog?

Adoption fees will vary greatly depending on breed, age, health status, location, and source of the dog. Some dogs can be adopted for free from private individuals who didn’t purposefully breed their dogs. Adoption fees from rescues and shelters are often around a couple of hundred dollars, since the dogs are usually already vaccinated and spayed/neutered before being adopted. Adopting a dog from a breeder will usually cost much more. After adoption fees, you’ll need to consider the average cost of having a dog. You’ll spend more on food, supplies, and veterinary care, but there may be vet financial assistance available.

How often do dogs need rabies shots? 

All dogs should be vaccinated for rabies, but once is not enough. After your dog gets their first rabies shot as a puppy, they will likely need a booster shot one year later. After that first booster shot, though, rabies shots are usually only needed once every three years, depending on your state’s laws.

References

“2022 AAHA Canine Vaccination Guidelines.” AAHA, 15 Aug. 2022, www.aaha.org/resources/2022-aaha-canine-vaccination-guidelines. 

AVMA. “Leptospirosis in Dogs | American Veterinary Medical Association.” Www.avma.org, 2025, www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/leptospirosis. 

AVMA. “Lyme Disease | American Veterinary Medical Association.” Www.avma.org, 2024, www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/lyme-disease-dogs. 

“Bordetella Bronchiseptica | Merck Animal Health USA.” Merck Animal Health USA, www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/condition/bordetella-bronchiseptica. 

“Canine Distemper.” Merck Animal Health USA, www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/nobivac/canine-distemper. 

“Canine Influenza | American Veterinary Medical Association.” Www.avma.org, www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/canine-influenza. 

“Canine Parainfluenza.” Merck Animal Health USA, www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/condition/canine-parainfluenza. 

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. “Canine Parvovirus | Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine.” Www.vet.cornell.edu, 2024, www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/baker-institute/research-baker-institute/canine-parvovirus. 

Weir, Malcolm, et al. “Infectious Hepatitis (Adenovirus) in Dogs.” Vca_corporate, 2009, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hepatitis-adenovirus-infection-in-dogs.

“Canine Influenza the Dog Flu | VCA Animal Hospital.” Vca, vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/canine-influenza-the-dog-flu.