Puppy Vaccines & Preventive Care

Puppies need a few core vaccines on a schedule to protect them during their most vulnerable months. We'll help you choose what your puppy needs based on age, lifestyle, and risk in the Portland metro area.

Recommended Puppy Vaccine Schedule

8 weeks: DAPP
12 weeks: DAPP + Leptospirosis (Dose 1)
16 weeks: DAPP + Rabies + Leptospirosis (Dose 2) (timing may vary)
1 Year: Booster visit
Ongoing: Core vaccines every 1-3 years depending on vaccine and lifestyle

Your puppy's exact schedule may vary slightly based on age at their first visit and previous records.

Core Vaccines

Protects against distemper, adenovirus/hepatitis, parainfluenza, and parvovirus

Typical schedule: 8, 12, and 16 weeks

Booster at 1 year, then typically every 3 years

Recommended for dogs who interact with other dogs (daycare, grooming, boarding, parks)

Usually one dose during puppy series

Boosters typically yearly (some facilities require every 6 months)

Spread through wildlife/rodent urine

Can cause serious kidney/liver disease

Zoonotic (can affect humans)

Start at 12 weeks, second dose 3–4 weeks later

Boosters yearly

First dose typically around 16 weeks

Booster at 1 year, then every 3 years

Lifestyle Vaccines

Recommended for dogs who go to daycare, parks, grooming, or boarding

Two-dose initial series, 3–4 weeks apart

Annual boosters recommended

We carry this vaccine but do not recommend it for most dogs

Instead, we recommend consistent flea, tick, and heartworm prevention

Flea, Tick, Heartworm & Deworming Prevention

Fleas are present year-round in the Portland area
Year-round prevention is recommended for most dogs
Heartworm risk is increasing over time
Intestinal parasites are common in puppies
Fecal testing is recommended when adopting a new puppy or if GI signs are present

Helpful Links Section

CAPC Parasite Prevalence Maps Pet Disease Alerts AAHA Vaccine Guidelines