Glossary

Core vaccines

The vaccines veterinary guidelines recommend for virtually every dog, protecting against distemper, parvovirus, canine adenovirus and rabies.

Also called: core vaccinations, essential vaccines, required dog vaccines, puppy shots

Core vaccines are the ones veterinary experts recommend for essentially all dogs because the diseases are widespread, severe and often deadly. In the United States the list is distemper, canine parvovirus, canine adenovirus, which causes infectious hepatitis, and rabies. Rabies is also legally required in most areas.

Puppies receive a series of doses several weeks apart, since protection from the mother's milk can block the vaccine, and then a booster about a year later and further boosters on a schedule. Current guidelines often allow core boosters every three years after that for adults, but local law, especially for rabies, may require different timing.

Vaccines that depend on a dog's lifestyle are called non-core. Your veterinarian sets the plan for your dog, and a vaccination record helps boarding and travel.

Last reviewed November 8, 2026

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Related terms

Non-core vaccines Vaccines given only to dogs whose lifestyle, location or travel puts them at risk, such as Bordetella, Lyme and canine influenza. DHPP vaccine The standard combination puppy and adult shot covering distemper, hepatitis (adenovirus), parainfluenza and parvovirus. Titer test A blood test that measures antibodies to a disease, sometimes used to check a dog's immunity to distemper or parvovirus instead of re-vaccinating. Rabies A viral disease of the nervous system, spread through bites, that is nearly always fatal once signs appear but is preventable by vaccination.