Vaccination Schedule for Dogs: What You Need to Know

Dog vaccines protect against serious, preventable diseases—and in Canada, they also help meet local bylaws and boarding/grooming requirements. Your exact dog vaccination schedule depends on age, lifestyle (city vs. rural), travel, and regional risk (like higher tick exposure in parts of Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritimes). Always confirm timing with your veterinarian, but here’s the standard roadmap most Canadian clinics follow.

Core vs. Lifestyle Vaccines (Canada)

Core vaccines are recommended for nearly all dogs:

DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis/Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
Rabies (often required by municipal bylaws; essential for travel and many services)

Lifestyle vaccines may be recommended based on exposure:

Bordetella (kennel cough) for daycare, boarding, grooming, dog parks
Leptospirosis for dogs around wildlife, farms, ponds, or urban rats (common in many Canadian regions)
Lyme for tick-endemic areas or hiking/cottage trips

Typical Dog Vaccination Schedule

Puppies: Start early because maternal antibodies fade at different rates.

6–8 weeks: DHPP #1
10–12 weeks: DHPP #2 (+/− Lepto, Bordetella)
14–16 weeks: DHPP #3 + Rabies (timing varies by province/clinic)
12 months: Booster for DHPP and Rabies (+ lifestyle boosters)

Adults: Many dogs receive DHPP every 3 years after the 1-year booster, while Rabies is typically every 1–3 years depending on the product and local rules. Lifestyle vaccines are often annual (sometimes every 6–12 months for Bordetella).

Tip: Ask your vet for a printed schedule and set phone reminders for boosters.
Tip: Keep vaccine records handy for travel, boarding, and emergencies.

Bottom line: A tailored vaccination plan is one of the simplest ways to protect your dog—and your community. Book a vet visit to confirm which core and lifestyle vaccines fit your dog’s real-world risk.