Keeping your dog’s vaccinations up to date is one of the simplest ways to prevent serious, costly diseases. In Canada, most vets follow similar core guidelines, but your dog’s exact vaccination schedule depends on age, lifestyle, travel, and local disease risk.

Core vs. lifestyle vaccines (Canada)

Core vaccines are recommended for nearly all dogs because the diseases are widespread and potentially fatal:

DHPP (Distemper, Hepatitis/Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
Rabies (legally required in many municipalities and commonly required for boarding, grooming, and travel)

Non-core (lifestyle) vaccines are chosen based on exposure risk:

Bordetella (kennel cough) for daycare/boarding/dog parks
Leptospirosis (often recommended in many Canadian regions; risk rises with wildlife/standing water)
Lyme in tick-endemic areas (parts of ON, QC, MB, NS, NB, and expanding)
Canine influenza where outbreaks occur or for frequent travelers

Typical vaccination schedule (puppies & adults)

Puppies: Maternal antibodies can block early vaccines, so boosters matter.

6–8 weeks: DHPP #1
10–12 weeks: DHPP #2 (+ optional lifestyle vaccines)
14–16 weeks: DHPP #3 (critical) + Rabies (often given at 12–16 weeks, per vet/local rules)
12 months: DHPP booster + Rabies booster

Adults: Many dogs then get DHPP every 3 years, while rabies is given every 1–3 years depending on product label and local regulations. Lifestyle vaccines may be annual or more frequent (e.g., Bordetella every 6–12 months).

Actionable tips to keep your dog protected

Ask your vet for a personalized risk assessment (daycare, cottage trips, hikes, rural vs. urban).
Keep a digital copy of records—many Canadian boarding facilities require proof.
Don’t delay puppy boosters; missed doses can mean restarting parts of the series.
Watch for mild side effects (sleepiness, sore spot). Seek urgent care for facial swelling, hives, or vomiting.

Bottom line: A smart vaccination schedule is tailored, not one-size-fits-all. Work with your Canadian vet to match vaccines to your dog’s real-world exposure—and keep boosters on the calendar.