When Do Puppies Need To Get Their First Shots?

5 weeks: Parvovirus; 6 & 9 weeks: a combination vaccine without leptospirosis (with Coronavirus if a concern); 12+ weeks Rabies; 12 & 15 weeks Combination vaccine with leptospirosis, coronavirus & Lyme (if any/all are concerns in your area-a vet would be able to counsel you); annually as an adult a good combination vaccine. (This also includes the rabies-ask for timelines from vet for the rabies, some are 3 year shots)

Justin08

22 May 2008 09:16

Comment

There are variables between litters and breeds..  but it largely depends on the dam, her vaccination protocol... my pups are never vaccinated before 12 weeks of age.  It is false security to assume that a pup is protected just because it has been immunized at 6 weeks... it is a health risk, and a waste of both money and time... vaccinosis is a serious concern... and recently weaned pup is at greater risk here, as its relatively immature immune system can be temporarily or more permanently harmed. http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_vaccination.php  (do your own research before you decide...Google vaccinosis)

The length and timing of the window of susceptibility is different in every litter, and even between individuals in a litter. A study of a cross section of different puppies showed that the age at which they were able to respond to a vaccine and develop protection (become immunized) covered a wide period of time. At six weeks of age, 25% of the puppies could be immunized. At 9 weeks of age, 40% of the puppies were able to respond to the vaccine. The number increased to 60% by 16 weeks of age, and by 18 weeks, 95% of the puppies could be immunized... Dobes and rotties tend to carry maternal antibodies for a longer time than most other breeds, so it is imperative that the last puppy shot is given no sooner than 16-20 weeks. 
I am a firm believer that vaccinating puppies at 6 weeks of age is far too young as they still carry substantial maternal antibodies and hence any vaccines that are administered then are automatically neutralized by these antibodies... that is the reason why puppies are given a series of 3 vaccines...There is no valid reason for giving the same vaccine over and over again to a puppy... you are told to keep your pup "off the streets" until the series of vaccines is completed anyway... so why not wait until it is needed.