Is the rabies vaccine required by law?

Yes — nearly every U.S. state requires rabies vaccination, usually by 16 weeks, with a booster at one year and then every 1–3 years.

Do small and large dogs follow different vaccine schedules?

The core schedule is the same for all breeds and sizes; lifestyle vaccines vary with your dog's activities and region.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule by Age: Every Shot (2026 Chart)

Q: When can my puppy go outside or meet other dogs?

Most vets recommend waiting until about 1–2 weeks after the final DHPP dose (roughly 16–18 weeks) for high-traffic places like parks and pet stores. Before then, socialize at home with healthy, vaccinated dogs.

Q: How much do puppy vaccines cost?

Typically $75–$200 per visit, with the full first-year series commonly $250–$500 at a private vet. Low-cost vaccine clinics can reduce this.

Q: When is a puppy fully vaccinated?

About 1–2 weeks after the final DHPP dose — roughly 16–18 weeks of age for a puppy that started on time — which is when most vets consider dog parks and group classes safe.

Short answer: Puppies get three rounds of the DHPP combo vaccine at roughly 6–8, 10–12 and 14–16 weeks, a rabies shot at 12–16 weeks (required by law), then boosters at one year. Bordetella, leptospirosis, canine influenza and Lyme are added based on lifestyle. A puppy is considered fully protected about 1–2 weeks after the final DHPP dose.

Puppies get a series of vaccines in their first four months because the immunity they're born with (from mom's milk) fades on its own timetable. The series exists to make sure there's no gap between mom's protection and your puppy's own. Miss a dose by too much and your vet may need to restart part of the series — which is why the dates matter as much as the shots.

What is the puppy vaccination schedule by age?

Age	Core vaccines	Lifestyle (ask your vet)
6–8 weeks	DHPP #1 (distemper, hepatitis/adenovirus, parainfluenza, parvovirus)	Bordetella (kennel cough)
10–12 weeks	DHPP #2	Leptospirosis #1, canine influenza #1, Bordetella if not yet given
14–16 weeks	DHPP #3 · Rabies (required by law; timing varies by state, often 12–16 weeks)	Leptospirosis #2, canine influenza #2
12–16 months	DHPP booster · Rabies booster	Lepto, influenza, Bordetella boosters
Adult dogs (full adult schedule)	DHPP every 3 years · Rabies every 1–3 years (set by state law)	Lepto & influenza yearly · Bordetella every 6–12 months if boarding or daycare

🗓️ Want this as dates instead of ages? Try our free puppy vaccine schedule generator — enter your puppy's birthday and get a printable schedule with real due dates.

What does each core puppy vaccine protect against?

DHPP (the "distemper combo")

One injection covering four serious viruses: distemper (often fatal, attacks the nervous system), hepatitis/adenovirus (liver disease), parainfluenza (respiratory), and parvovirus — the one puppy owners fear most, because parvo spreads through contaminated ground and surfaces and is frequently deadly in unvaccinated puppies. The three-dose series is what builds full protection; the final dose at 14–16 weeks is the one that counts most.

Rabies

The only vaccine required by law in nearly every U.S. state. Your vet will issue a rabies certificate — keep it, photograph it, and store it somewhere you can pull up instantly. Boarding facilities, groomers, apartment leases and travel all ask for it, and "it's at home in a drawer" doesn't count at check-in. (What the certificate has to show, and how to replace a lost one: proof of rabies vaccination.)

Which lifestyle (non-core) vaccines does a puppy actually need?

Bordetella (kennel cough) — effectively mandatory if your dog will board, go to daycare, the groomer, or dog parks. Most facilities require it every 6–12 months.
Leptospirosis — a bacterial disease spread through wildlife urine and standing water; many vets now treat it as core, especially for dogs that hike, swim, or live where raccoons and deer do.
Canine influenza — worth discussing if your dog boards often or you live in an outbreak area.
Lyme — for dogs in tick-heavy regions (the upper Midwest and Northeast especially).

What happens if you miss a puppy shot?

Life happens. If you're a few days late, carry on as planned. If you're more than a few weeks late mid-series, call your vet — depending on the vaccine and your puppy's age they may add a dose or restart part of the series. The expensive mistake isn't being late; it's not noticing for two months because the reminder lived on a card stuck to the fridge.

How do you prove your dog is vaccinated?

Boarding, daycare, grooming, training classes, dog parks with check-in, flying, crossing state lines, renting an apartment — all of them ask for vaccine records, usually the rabies certificate plus DHPP and Bordetella history. Ask your vet for a copy of the record after every visit (they're required to provide it), then keep a digital copy: snap the certificate, store it with your dog's profile, and set a reminder for the next due date so boosters never lapse.

Frequently asked questions about puppy shots

When can my puppy go outside or meet other dogs?

Most vets say about 1–2 weeks after the final DHPP dose (so roughly 16–18 weeks) for high-traffic places like parks and pet stores. Before that, stick to your own yard and healthy, vaccinated adult dogs you know. Early socialization still matters — carry your puppy in public, host puppy playdates at home, and ask about vet-supervised puppy classes that require a first shot.

How much do puppy vaccines cost?

Typically $75–$200 per visit at a private vet depending on region and which vaccines are given, with the full first-year series commonly running $250–$500. Low-cost vaccine clinics (often at pet stores or shelters) can cut that significantly — just make sure you get written proof at every visit.

Is the rabies vaccine really required?

Yes — rabies vaccination is required by law in almost every U.S. state, usually by 16 weeks of age, with a booster at one year and then every 1–3 years depending on the vaccine used and your state's rules. Your vet handles the timing; your job is keeping the certificate findable.

How many rounds of shots does a puppy need?

Three rounds of the DHPP combination vaccine, spaced 3–4 weeks apart between about 6 and 16 weeks of age, plus one rabies vaccine at 12–16 weeks. Lifestyle vaccines like leptospirosis and canine influenza are given as two-dose series. Everything is boosted once at 12–16 months, after which most core vaccines move to a 1–3 year cycle.

When is a puppy fully vaccinated?

About 1–2 weeks after the final DHPP dose — so roughly 16–18 weeks of age for a puppy that started on time. That's the point most vets consider it safe for dog parks, pet stores and group classes. Rabies is legally "current" from the date it's given, and the certificate your vet issues is the proof facilities will ask for.

Do small dogs and large dogs follow different schedules?

The core schedule is the same regardless of size or breed. What changes is lifestyle risk — a doodle that goes to daycare weekly needs Bordetella current, and a farm dog has a stronger case for lepto. Your vet tailors the non-core list to how your dog actually lives.

This guide is general information, not veterinary advice. Vaccine timing and requirements vary by state, region and your dog's health — always confirm your puppy's schedule with your veterinarian.

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More guides: Bringing a doodle puppy home · Adult dog vaccine schedule · Dog boarding vaccine requirements · Proof of rabies vaccination · Do QR dog tags work? · How to get & organize your dog's medical records · All guides · DogTag Help & FAQ

Puppy Vaccination Schedule: Every Shot, By Age

What is the puppy vaccination schedule by age?

What does each core puppy vaccine protect against?

DHPP (the "distemper combo")

Rabies

Which lifestyle (non-core) vaccines does a puppy actually need?

What happens if you miss a puppy shot?

How do you prove your dog is vaccinated?

Frequently asked questions about puppy shots

Never miss a booster again