Puppy Vaccination & Deworming Schedule
Designed for dog breeders, this tool generates a fully dated puppy care schedule from your litter's birth date — covering deworming, core vaccines, and parasite prevention.
Every item is rated by real-world breeder consensus — not just what the establishment recommends, but what experienced breeders across the spectrum actually do. From universally adopted to commonly skipped, you'll see where each item sits.
Just welcomed a litter? Track puppy weights alongside this schedule to monitor healthy development.
Not sure of the birth date yet? Calculate your whelping date first.
Puppy Vaccination & Deworming Schedule
Enter your litter's birth date to generate a personalised care schedule with exact dates. Every item is labelled with real-world breeder consensus — not just what the establishment recommends, but what experienced breeders actually do.
Understanding the consensus ratings
- Deworming at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks is nearly universal — even among minimalist breeders
- Core DHPP vaccines are given by the vast majority of responsible breeders
- Items like Lepto and Canine Flu are genuinely debated — skipping them is common and not considered negligent
Why breeders differ on vaccination
The breeder community spans a wide range of philosophies. Some follow every vet recommendation to the letter. Others take a minimal-intervention approach, giving only what they consider genuinely necessary. Most sit somewhere in between — giving core vaccines and deworming, but being selective about optional or regionally irrelevant items.
The case for titer testing
Rather than automatically giving a 3rd DHPP dose, some breeders run a titer test after the 2nd dose to confirm whether immunity was actually achieved. This data-driven approach is growing in popularity and is supported by a number of integrative veterinarians as a way to avoid over-vaccination while still ensuring protection.
Geography matters
Several items on this schedule — Leptospirosis, Lyme, heartworm prevention, and flea/tick products — are highly region-dependent. A breeder in the Southeast US faces very different parasite and disease pressures than one in the Pacific Northwest or northern Canada. The consensus ratings reflect national averages, not your specific location.
Puppy care essentials
What experienced breeders keep stocked before the first care appointments.
Digital Thermometer
Accurate rectal temps for monitoring newborn puppy health.
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Complete Whelping Kit
Everything you need for the first weeks with a new litter.
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Breeder Record Book
Log vaccination dates, deworming, and litter records in one place.
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Related guides
Puppy vaccination & deworming FAQs
When should puppies be first dewormed?
Most breeders and vets recommend starting at 2 weeks of age, then repeating every 2 weeks through 8 weeks. Nearly all puppies carry roundworms passed from the dam, so early deworming is considered standard practice even by minimalist breeders.
What does DHPP stand for?
DHPP stands for Distemper, Hepatitis (Adenovirus), Parainfluenza, and Parvovirus. It is considered a core vaccine and is given in a series starting at 6–8 weeks. Parvo and Distemper in particular are serious killers in young puppies.
Do all breeders follow the same vaccination schedule?
No. There is a wide spectrum of practice in the breeder community. Core items like DHPP and early deworming are nearly universal. Others — like Leptospirosis, canine flu, or flea/tick preventives — are highly situational and frequently skipped depending on geography, lifestyle, and personal philosophy.
What is a titer test and should I use one?
A titer test is a blood test that measures whether a puppy has developed antibodies in response to a vaccine — confirming actual immunity rather than assuming it. Some breeders use titer tests after the 2nd DHPP dose to decide whether a 3rd dose is necessary. Growing in use among research-minded breeders.
Is the Leptospirosis vaccine necessary?
It depends on your region and your dogs' lifestyle. Lepto is one of the most debated vaccines in the breeder community due to a relatively high rate of reported adverse reactions, particularly in small breeds. It is recommended for dogs exposed to wildlife, standing water, or rural/flood-prone areas — but is frequently skipped in urban or low-risk environments.
When should Rabies be given?
Rabies is legally required in most US states and cannot be skipped. It is typically given no earlier than 12 weeks, with 16 weeks being the standard for most vets. Some breeders request a 1-year certificate on the first dose rather than 3-year to reduce adjuvant load frequency in young dogs.