The Puppy Vaccine Schedule: A Quick Reference Timeline

In this guide

With so many vaccine names and timing windows to track, it helps to have a simple, at-a-glance reference for a puppy's first year. This follows the standard protocol most Indian vets use, though your own vet may adjust timing based on your puppy's specific health and risk factors.

6 to 8 weeks

First core vaccine, commonly called the Puppy DP or the start of the DHPPi series, covering distemper and parvovirus, two of the most serious and common threats to young, unprotected puppies in India.

10 to 12 weeks

Second dose of the DHPPiL or 9-in-1 combination vaccine, adding protection against hepatitis, parainfluenza and leptospirosis. The first rabies vaccine is also commonly given around 12 weeks.

14 to 16 weeks

Third and final puppy dose of the core combination vaccine, along with a rabies booster three to four weeks after the first rabies shot. This stage generally completes the initial puppy immunity series.

Around 12 months

A full booster of the core vaccines plus rabies, marking the transition to the adult maintenance schedule your vet will guide you through from here. If your city sees regular monsoon flooding, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and similar cities among them, it is worth asking your vet about timing this annual booster for March or April, so leptospirosis immunity is at its peak before the rains arrive rather than fading by the time the risk is highest.

Non-core vaccines to discuss with your vet

• Kennel cough (Bordetella), particularly relevant if your puppy will attend daycare, grooming, boarding or busy dog parks
• Canine coronavirus, considered by some vets based on regional risk and lifestyle

A few practical notes

• Deworm before each vaccination visit, generally about a week ahead, as most vets recommend
• Keep a physical or digital vaccination card up to date, needed for boarding, travel and many housing societies
• Avoid parks, other dogs and public spaces until the puppy series is complete, since young puppies are especially vulnerable to parvovirus
• Mild lethargy or reduced appetite for a day after a vaccine is normal, but facial swelling, repeated vomiting or breathing difficulty warrants an immediate call to your vet

Keep this timeline as a general guide, not a substitute for your vet's specific recommendations, which may shift slightly based on your puppy's breed, health and the vaccine brands used at your clinic.

What happens if a dose is missed or delayed

Life occasionally gets in the way of an exact schedule, and a booster given a week or two later than planned is not usually cause for alarm, though it should not become a habit. If a puppy misses a scheduled dose by more than a few weeks, mention this to your vet at the next visit, they may recommend restarting part of the series or adjusting the remaining schedule, since large gaps can affect how well the immunity builds compared to the originally intended timing.

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