Puppy Vaccinations: What They Need, When, and Why the Dates Matter

Your puppy's vaccination card is one of the most misread documents in dog ownership. 💉 Lots of people read the second jab as "fully covered from tomorrow". It usually isn't.

The core UK course protects against distemper, infectious hepatitis and parvovirus, with leptospirosis alongside. First dose around 6 to 8 weeks, second two to four weeks later, then allow another week or so for protection to settle. The exact dates depend on which vaccine your vet uses and the risks where you live.

The reason for two doses isn't a top-up. Antibodies from mum block vaccines from working, and nobody can tell exactly when they fade, so the second dose is a second attempt at catching the right moment.

The riskiest part of all this isn't the needle, it's the waiting. The socialisation window starts closing around 12 to 14 weeks, so keep going safely: carry your puppy through town, invite calm vaccinated dogs over, let them meet the hoover and the postman from your arms.

A sleepy afternoon and a tender spot are normal. A puffy face, repeated vomiting or collapse is not, and needs a vet immediately. Full guide below covers the schedule, boosters, kennel cough, rabies for travel, and what to do if you miss a dose.