UC Davis Puppy Vaccine Schedule

2026-04-14 21:54 CST

The schedule below reflects general puppy vaccine guidance commonly referenced from UC Davis.

6–8 weeks
DAP / DA2PP / DHPP
This covers core puppy protection for distemper, adenovirus, and parvovirus. Some products also include parainfluenza.

9–12 weeks
DAP / DA2PP / DHPP booster

12–16 weeks
Rabies vaccine

12 weeks

Leptospirosis may be started during this window.

15–16 weeks
Leptospirosis booster, if using leptospirosis vaccine, given 3–4 weeks after the first dose.

16 weeks or later

Final DAP / DA2PP / DHPP puppy vaccine
UC Davis states that the final puppy core vaccine should be given no earlier than 16 weeks of age.

6 months
Additional DAP / DA2PP / DHPP vaccine

UC Davis includes this booster to reduce the chance that maternal antibodies may have interfered with earlier puppy vaccination response.

1 year
Rabies booster
DAP / DA2PP / DHPP booster

Simple Explanation

UC Davis’s general approach is that puppy core vaccines begin at 6–8 weeks, are repeated every 3–4 weeks, and the final puppy core dose should be given at 16 weeks or later. Rabies is given at 12–16 weeks, followed by a booster at 1 year. UC Davis also recommends leptospirosis in its current canine vaccination guidance.

Vaccination and Preventive Care Note

The schedule shown above reflects general vaccine guidance commonly referenced from sources such as UC Davis. JBK follows its own long-established protocol, which has worked well within this program over many years. After a puppy leaves here, all ongoing decisions regarding vaccines, heartworm prevention, flea and tick prevention, deworming, preventive maintenance, and general veterinary care become the responsibility of the new owner.

Owners should establish a working relationship with a veterinarian they trust and discuss an appropriate plan for that individual dog going forward. If you do not already have an established veterinarian, take the time to research before choosing one. Ask trusted friends, neighbors, and experienced dog owners who they use and why. Look into the clinic’s reputation, consistency, professionalism, and overall business history before making that decision.

Veterinary recommendations should be understood clearly, not followed blindly. Owners should feel comfortable asking what is being recommended, why it is being recommended, whether there are other accepted approaches, and what the reasoning is for the plan being suggested. A veterinarian should be able to explain that clearly and professionally.

JBK also uses a more old-fashioned approach in some areas of preventive care. Newer products are not automatically adopted simply because they are new or heavily marketed. In many cases, older, established methods are preferred until newer products have had more time in real-world use and their side-effect profile is better understood. Preventive care decisions should be made carefully, individually, and with full understanding of what is being given and why.

Ultimately, the dog belongs to the owner, and all veterinary care, vaccine scheduling, parasite prevention, and preventive-maintenance decisions after pickup are made by the owner in consultation with the veterinarian they choose.

Notice
The information on this page is provided for general reference only. It is not a personal directive, medical guarantee, or lifelong protocol issued for every dog in every situation. JBK is not responsible for future veterinary decisions, preventive-care choices, or treatment plans made after a dog leaves the property. Owners are responsible for choosing their veterinarian, evaluating the recommendations given, and making the decisions they believe are appropriate for their individual dog.