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The core vaccines for dogs protect against canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus and canine parvovirus, plus rabies wherever rabies is present. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) calls these core because every dog, everywhere, should have them. In Ontario, rabies isn't just recommended: it's the law for dogs three months of age and over.
Everything else, like Bordetella or Lyme, is a non-core or lifestyle vaccine, which your vet recommends based on where you live and what your dog gets up to. Below you'll find what each core vaccine protects against, how the puppy series and boosters work, and what to ask at your next visit. It's general information, so your own vet's advice comes first.
What are core vaccines for dogs?
Core vaccines for dogs are the ones every dog should get, whatever their lifestyle, because the diseases they prevent are serious and widespread. The WSAVA's 2024 vaccination guidelines name three core vaccines for dogs worldwide, plus rabies where it's endemic. The Merck Veterinary Manual puts it simply: core vaccines recommended by nearly all veterinarians prevent illnesses like distemper, parvovirus and rabies.
| Vaccine | Protects against | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Canine distemper virus (CDV) | Distemper | Core for all dogs |
| Canine adenovirus (CAV) | Infectious canine hepatitis | Core for all dogs |
| Canine parvovirus (CPV) | Parvovirus disease | Core for all dogs |
| Rabies | Rabies | Core where rabies is endemic; required by law in Ontario |
On invoices and certificates, the first three often show up together as one combination shot, written as a jumble of letters. If you don't recognise an abbreviation, ask the clinic. They get that question all the time.
Rabies: the one the law requires
In Ontario, the rabies vaccine is required, full stop. Regulation 567 under the Health Protection and Promotion Act says every owner or person caring for a dog, cat or ferret three months of age or over has to make sure the animal is immunized, and reimmunized by the date on the certificate. Your vet gives you a signed certificate and a rabies tag.
Why so strict? The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that rabies spreads mainly through the saliva of an infected animal, usually by a bite, and that it's fatal once signs appear. That's why public health asks about rabies status so quickly after a bite. Our guide to the pet vaccine certificate explains what your rabies papers should show.
In Ontario, every dog three months of age or older must be vaccinated against rabies and kept up to date by the date on its certificate.
Non-core dog vaccines: chosen for your dog's life
Non-core vaccines cover diseases that only some dogs are likely to run into. The Merck Veterinary Manual says vaccines for illnesses like Lyme disease or Bordetella infection matter in certain areas, and that your vet will tell you which ones your dog needs based on where you live and how your dog lives.
Leptospirosis sits in between. The WSAVA calls the leptospirosis vaccine core in regions where the disease is endemic, so ask your vet whether that's true where you live, and where you take your dog.
| If your dog... | Your vet may talk about |
|---|---|
| Goes to daycare, boarding, grooming or classes | Bordetella (kennel cough) and other respiratory vaccines |
| Hikes, camps or spends time in long grass and woods | Lyme disease, alongside tick prevention |
| Swims, drinks from puddles or meets wildlife | Leptospirosis |
| Travels to other provinces or countries | Vaccines for diseases common at the destination |
Kennels and daycares set their own vaccine rules, so ask before you book. Our article on proof of rabies vaccination for daycare and boarding covers the paperwork side.
How the puppy series and boosters work
Puppies get a series of core vaccine doses, not a single shot. The WSAVA guidelines recommend core doses every 2 to 4 weeks, with the last puppy dose at 16 weeks of age or older, then one more at or after 26 weeks. That 6 month dose is there to close any gap in protection.
In practice, that means a lot of early visits. The Merck Veterinary Manual suggests seeing the vet every 3 to 4 weeks until your puppy is about 4 months old.
Adult dogs are different. The WSAVA says core vaccines shouldn't be given more often than necessary, since modified live core vaccines can protect for many years, while many non-core vaccines protect for about a year. It still recommends a yearly health check, even in years when no core vaccine is due.
Your vet sets the exact schedule for your dog, based on age, health, the vaccine product and local rules. Our dog and cat vaccine schedule for Canada shows the usual timing in more detail.
Questions to ask your vet about dog vaccines
Bring a few questions to the appointment; it's much easier than remembering them in the parking lot afterward. These are a good start:
- Which of my dog's vaccines are core, and which are lifestyle vaccines?
- Given our neighbourhood, travel and activities, which non-core vaccines do you recommend, and why?
- When is each vaccine due next, and is it a one year or three year product?
- Could my dog have a titre test instead of a booster for any core vaccine?
- What reactions should I watch for after vaccines, and when should I call?
If your dog seems off after a vaccine, call your vet. If they have trouble breathing or collapse, go to a vet or emergency clinic right now. The WSAVA asks vets to record and report suspected adverse events, so always tell your clinic about a reaction.
Questions fréquentes
What are the 4 core vaccines for dogs?
The core vaccines for dogs protect against distemper, adenovirus (infectious hepatitis), parvovirus and rabies. The WSAVA treats rabies as core wherever the disease is endemic, and Ontario law requires it.
Is Bordetella a core vaccine for dogs?
No, Bordetella is a non-core or lifestyle vaccine. Your vet may recommend it if your dog goes to daycare, boarding, grooming or classes, and many of those businesses require it.
How often do adult dogs need core vaccines?
It depends on the vaccine product and your vet's advice. The WSAVA says core vaccines shouldn't be given more often than necessary because modified live core vaccines can protect for many years, while many non-core vaccines last about a year.
Does an indoor dog still need vaccines?
Yes, every dog should have the core vaccines, and in Ontario every dog three months or older must be vaccinated against rabies. Non-core vaccines are the ones your vet may skip for a dog with little exposure.
When can my puppy go outside after vaccines?
Ask your vet, because it depends on your puppy's age, vaccines and local risks. The WSAVA's puppy series runs until at least 16 weeks of age, with another dose at or after 26 weeks.
Is the leptospirosis vaccine core?
It can be, depending on where you live. The WSAVA calls it core in regions where canine leptospirosis is endemic, so ask your vet whether it's recommended for your area.
En bref
Core vaccines for dogs cover every dog against distemper, adenovirus and parvovirus, plus rabies, which Ontario requires. The non-core ones are a conversation with your vet about your dog's actual life: the daycare, the cottage, the long grass.
Honestly, the hard part is remembering which shot is due when. The free PetGrid app holds your dog's vaccine history, sends vaccine reminders and makes a vaccine card you can show a kennel or groomer.
Gardez les dossiers, les vaccins et les visites de votre animal dans un seul endroit sûr. L'application PetGrid est gratuite pour les propriétaires d'animaux, avec ou sans clinique.
Get the free PetGrid appSources
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