15 Dog Vaccines Every Responsible Pet Owner Should Know

Vaccines aren’t just paperwork—they’re protection. Dogs explore the world nose first, and that curiosity comes with risk. Infections can spread fast; some are fatal, and a few are even zoonotic. These vaccines help prevent the worst while keeping your dog active, social, and ready for anything.

Bordetella Vaccine

Make sure your pup is vaccinated before joining other dogs. Bordetella, a primary cause of kennel cough, spreads faster than gossip at the dog park. Given intranasally or by injection, it kicks in within days and gives protection for a year. Even most daycares require this vaccine before allowing playdates.

Parainfluenza Vaccine

Symptoms include coughing, nasal discharge, and fever, but the biggest risk is rapid outbreak. Parainfluenza thrives in group settings like shelters and dog shows. Though given as part of a combo shot, it’s essential for keeping your dog safe against respiratory infections.

Canine Influenza Vaccine

Think flu season is rough on humans? Dogs get it, too. Canine Influenza hit the U.S. in 2004 and again in 2015 with major outbreaks. Highly contagious and airborne, it can sideline even healthy pups. Annual vaccination keeps the sneezes at bay and doggy drama minimal.

Canine Coronavirus Vaccine (CCoV)

This vaccine isn’t on every vet’s checklist, but it plays a role in protecting your pup’s gut health. It typically causes mild gastrointestinal symptoms, yet in puppies in crowded shelters, it can trigger prolonged digestive distress. Often bundled into early puppy shots, it adds an extra layer of protection.

Lyme Disease Vaccine

Lyme disease is a serious risk for dogs in grassy or wooded areas. Transmitted by tiny deer ticks, the disease can cause fever, joint pain, and fatigue. The Lyme vaccine helps protect dogs who spend time outdoors. Early vaccination and annual boosters are key to keeping them safe.

Canine Parvovirus Vaccine

Parvovirus strikes quickly, causing severe vomiting and dehydration in dogs, especially puppies. This standalone vaccine is vital for survival, even though it’s often included in combination shots like DHPP. Early vaccination and regular boosters are also critical to protect against the aggressive and highly contagious disease.

Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo (Dhpp) Vaccine

Four threats, one shot. DHPP shields against distemper, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus, which are deadly in nature. Puppies start at 6–8 weeks with boosters every few weeks, then switch to triennial doses. This powerful vaccination is widely considered the gold standard for ensuring strong canine immunity.

Rabies Vaccine

Rabies spreads through bites and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear. The first shot needs to be taken at 12–16 weeks. A second dose comes one year later, and booster doses are administered every year thereafter. Skipping this is not optional but rather essential for travel, daycare, and overall safety.

Leptospirosis Vaccine

Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection found in water or soil, turning puddles and damp ground into hidden risks for dogs. It causes kidney and liver failure and can also be transmitted to humans. Vets recommend annual shots for outdoor dogs, especially in humid climates, with protection commencing two weeks post-vaccine.

Canine Adenovirus (Cav-2) Vaccine

While commonly bundled into the DHPP combo, CAV-2 deserves its own mention. It protects against respiratory infections and helps guard the liver against CAV-1 hepatitis. This dual-action vaccine keeps your dog’s lungs and liver in fighting shape, even when the threat isn’t easy to spot.

Giardia Vaccine

Although not part of the core vaccines, the Giardia vaccine is sometimes recommended for dogs living in crowded, high-risk environments. The shot reduces the severity of Giardiasis, a parasitic intestinal infection, and lowers the chances of environmental spread in daycare facilities and breeding kennels.

Canine Herpesvirus Vaccine

The Canine Herpesvirus vaccine protects puppies from a deadly infection often contracted during birth. It strengthens a mother dog’s immunity before breeding and again during pregnancy. Administering this vaccine early helps lower the risk of severe respiratory illness and the sudden demise of vulnerable newborn litters.

Leishmaniasis Vaccine

Dogs traveling to sandfly regions like the Mediterranean or parts of South America risk exposure to canine leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease with long-term health effects. The Leishmaniasis vaccine, though only available in some countries, is a smart precaution for globe-trotting pups or residents of endemic zones.

Rattlesnake Vaccine

The rattlesnake vaccine doesn’t prevent bites, but it helps reduce venom effects and buys critical time for treatment. It’s often recommended for dogs in high-risk areas like the Western and Southern U.S. Combine it with snake-avoidance training for the best protection in rural or hiking environments.

Canine Melanoma Vaccine

Although not a preventative measure, the Canine Melanoma Vaccine (ONCEPT) helps manage oral malignant melanoma after surgery or radiation. It stimulates the immune system to attack remaining cancer cells, reducing recurrence. Given in a series of doses, it can extend survival and improve quality of life.