What Are the Names of the Vaccinations for the First Year of a Dog?

Puppies are brimming with energy, excitement and zeal for life. They are also full of potential to pick up a wide array of canine diseases that can cause major illness and even death. The first year of your dog's life is a vital time period to vaccinate against diseases such as rabies, canine distemper and parainfluenza. Many vaccinations come together in one shot to keep costs--and discomfort for your dog--at a minimum.

  1. DHPP

    • The standard "puppy vaccination," or DHPP, should first be administered when your puppy is six to eight weeks old. This vaccination protects dogs against canine distemper, canine adenovirus-2 (dog hepatitis), canine parvovirus-2 and parainfluenza. The second set of DHPP is given three weeks after the first, and the third (and last) three weeks after the second. Dogs should also receive a DHPP booster shot when they turn one, and will continue to receive boosters throughout their lives.

    Rabies Vaccination

    • The Rabies vaccination is an additional core vaccination dogs are legally required to have in all 50 states (only around half of dog owners comply). Rabies is an infectious disease that attacks the nervous system and can ultimately lead to death. The first set of rabies vaccinations is administered at three or four months, while the second set is given at one year. Dogs will continue to have rabies vaccination boosters throughout their lives not only to protect them from rabies, but also prevent the spread of rabies from canines to humans.

    Non-Core Vaccinations

    • Several additional vaccinations are recommended--though not mandatory--during your dog's first year of life. The leptospirosis vaccination protects dogs from a bacterial disease that causes vomiting and potential organ failure. The Lyme disease vaccination protects dogs against the infectious disease spread by deer ticks that causes high fever, joint pain and swelling. The Lyme disease vaccination is especially recommended for dogs living in the Northeast and upper Midwest. Veterinarians also recommend the bordetella, or "kennel cough," vaccinating to protect your dog from a highly contagious form of infectious tracheobronchitis.