Puppy Vaccination Schedule: Our Evidence-Based Protocol for Livestock Guardian Dogs

As a livestock owner, you understand the devastating impact of losing animals you’ve invested your heart, time, and resources into. When it comes to protecting your new Maremma Sheepdog puppy—your future livestock guardian—making informed decisions about vaccination is crucial. You need reliable information from someone who understands both the science behind vaccines and the real-world challenges of raising healthy working livestock guardian dogs. Below is our Maremma puppy vaccination schedule:

At-a-Glance LGD Puppy Shots (By Age)

• 6 weeks: Parvo (NeoParD)
• 8 weeks: Nobivac Canine 1-DAPPv (parvo, distemper, adenovirus types 1 & 2, parainfluenza)
• 12 weeks: Nobivac Canine 1-DAPPv booster
• 16 weeks: Final Nobivac Canine 1-DAPPv booster (if still with us)

Why Puppy Vaccination Schedules Vary (and What Matters Most)

There are many different vaccine protocols and many different views on the best approach for puppies. Some believe in vaccinating early and often with boosters every 1-3 years, while others believe that’s overkill—that most vaccines after the initial puppy series provide immunity for life and that over-vaccination is harming our animals.

The truth is, there’s no “right” or “wrong” approach, nor any simple answers. We don’t recommend any protocol over another universally. We simply do what works for us, based on years of experience, research, and real-world results. Every breeder and dog owner needs to do their own research, discuss this topic with their veterinarian, and decide what protocol works best for them.

The most important thing to realize is that diseases like canine parvovirus and distemper are highly contagious and can be extremely deadly. You really do need to take vaccinations and protecting your puppies from these diseases seriously.

How Puppy Immunity Works: Maternal Antibodies & Timing

Puppies receive some immunity from their mothers through colostrum, but it’s not known exactly when this maternal immunity wears off. It’s different for every dog, every litter, and possibly even for every puppy within a litter. A mother can have great antibodies, but if a particular puppy didn’t receive adequate colostrum, it might not be protected as long as its littermates.

This creates a challenging window:

• Vaccinate too early: Maternal antibodies can interfere with the vaccine, making it ineffective
• Vaccinate too late: Maternal antibodies may have worn off, leaving the puppy vulnerable

Because of this uncertainty, most veterinarians recommend a series of vaccines starting somewhere between 6-8 weeks and given every 2-4 weeks until puppies are around 16-18 weeks old. Unfortunately, because this is essentially educated guesswork, there can be “gaps” in coverage, and even a properly vaccinated puppy can get sick with diseases they’ve been vaccinated against.

Our Evolution: From Vaccine Minimalist to Evidence-Based Protocol

I’ll be honest about my journey with vaccination protocols. I used to be more of a vaccine minimalist, delaying first vaccinations until puppies were around 12 weeks old based on recommendations I’d read. This approach changed dramatically after what I call our “parvo scare.”

The Wake-Up Call

Several years ago, I thought our puppies might have contracted parvovirus. The fear and potential devastation of losing an entire litter was overwhelming. Fortunately, it turned out not to be parvo, but that experience was scary enough to completely reevaluate our vaccination approach.

I realized that while vaccine minimalism sounds appealing in theory, the reality of potentially losing puppies to preventable diseases was unacceptable. If anything, I became more aggressive with our vaccination schedule—but in a thoughtful, evidence-based way.

Puppy Vaccination Schedule: Our LGD Protocol

After extensive research and consultation with veterinary professionals, here’s the vaccination approach we decided on:

Core Vaccination Timeline

• 6 weeks: NeoParD (Revival Animal Health) – Single-disease parvovirus vaccine
• 8 weeks: 5-way vaccine (Revival Animal Health) – Covers parvo, distemper, and other core diseases
• 12 weeks: 5-way vaccine booster
• 16 weeks: Final 5-way booster (if puppies are still with us)

Most guidelines target at least three DAPP doses between 6–16 weeks, 2–4 weeks apart, with timing tailored to risk.

Core Vaccines We Use (Parvo, Distemper, Adenovirus, & Parainfluenza)

Our core vaccines focus on the most serious, life-threatening diseases:

• Parvovirus (CPV)
• Distemper (CDV)
• Adenovirus (CAV-2)
• Parainfluenza (CPiV)

Note on CCoV: Some 5-way products include canine coronavirus. Major guidelines (WSAVA; AAHA/AVMA summaries) do not recommend routine CCoV vaccination due to limited benefit; we use our product for the core antigens above. Discuss options with your vet.

Non-Core Vaccines We Skip in the Puppy Series

Leptospirosis: We do not include leptospirosis in our puppy vaccination protocol. There are questions about both the safety and necessity of this vaccine for young puppies. However, we understand that some geographic areas have higher lepto risk, and we’re happy for new owners to discuss this with their veterinarian and add it to their dog’s protocol if recommended for their specific situation.

Other non-core vaccines: We don’t administer vaccines for diseases like Lyme disease, kennel cough, or other non-core vaccines during the puppy series. These can be discussed with your veterinarian based on your specific geographic and lifestyle risk factors.

Why Combination Vaccines (vs Single-Disease)

During my research, I considered using single-disease vaccines (like giving parvo vaccine one week, distemper the next, etc.) to avoid “overtaxing” the puppies’ immune systems. However, I decided against this approach because:

• More injections required: Single vaccines would require each disease to be given 2-3 times, 2 weeks apart, resulting in significantly more injections overall
• Increased stress: More frequent handling and injection stress for the puppies
• Time management: With multiple litters, the logistics of more frequent vaccination schedules becomes challenging
• Cost consideration: While not the primary factor, single vaccines would be more expensive

Our current protocol minimizes the number of injections while providing comprehensive protection against the most dangerous diseases.

Why We Vaccinate at Home (Safety, Stress, Biosecurity)

We administer vaccines ourselves rather than taking puppies to our veterinarian for several important reasons:

Safety: Veterinary clinics are high-risk environments for unvaccinated puppies. Sick animals frequent these locations, and despite cleaning protocols, the risk of exposure to diseases like parvo remains significant.

Stress reduction: Transporting young puppies and exposing them to unfamiliar environments, sounds, and smells creates unnecessary stress during critical developmental periods. Puppies do need to be socialized during this period but it should be a positive experience and going to the veterinarian could present scary situations outside our control.

Logistical Issues: Taking a litter of 8-13 puppies to the veterinarian multiple times would be a logistical nightmare, even though our veterinarian is nearby. Instead we prefer for our vet to come to our farm to see the puppies when needed and we save the in-office visits for when just one or two pups needs to be seen. (Like when they need CVIs for shipping to new homes.) We do take every opportunity for our puppies to meet our awesome vet and her staff when they visit. Our puppies love our vet!

Legal and practical: It’s perfectly legal for breeders to vaccinate their own animals, and our veterinarian is aware of and supportive of our protocol.

Experience: After decades of administering vaccines, we’re comfortable and competent with the process. (I have been vaccinating my dogs, cats, horses and other animals since the 1980’s.)

Adult Dog Vaccination: Duration of Immunity, Optional Boosters & Rabies

Our approach to adult dog vaccination differs significantly from our puppy protocol and reflects current research on vaccine duration of immunity.

Minimal Adult Vaccination

• Puppy series completion: Most of our adult dogs receive only their complete puppy vaccination series.
• Optional one-year booster: Occasionally, we may give a booster at one year of age.
• No routine boosters: We don’t routinely revaccinate adult dogs every 1-3 years. Our dogs live to a normal age for their breed and are very healthy so this protocol works for us.

Many clinics follow AAHA schedules that revaccinate core vaccines about every three years or use antibody titers to guide decisions; we encourage families to choose what aligns with their vet’s guidance and their dog’s risk profile.

The Science Supporting This Approach

Numerous studies have shown that dogs retain immunity to most core diseases for several years to their entire lives after completing their puppy series. Additionally, most of these diseases pose minimal risk to healthy adult dogs compared to puppies.

Rabies: The Legal Exception

While we follow a minimal vaccination protocol for other diseases, we comply with legal requirements for rabies vaccination, typically every three years as required by law. This is the one exception to our minimal adult vaccination approach.

*Vaccination is just one pillar of our comprehensive puppy health program. Equally important is our parasite prevention protocol, which we begin at just 2 weeks of age and continue throughout the critical puppy development period. Parasites can compromise a puppy’s immune system and interfere with vaccine effectiveness, making both protocols essential for raising healthy livestock guardian dogs.

Staying Safe Until Fully Vaccinated (With Smart Early Socialization)

Until your puppy has completed their vaccination series, a balanced approach to safety and socialization is essential.

Early Socialization—Done Safely

Behavior health is as important as disease prevention. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behaviorists (AVSAB) supports beginning socialization before puppies are fully vaccinated, typically as early as 7–8 weeks when they’ve had at least one vaccine a week prior and are dewormed, in controlled settings (well-run indoor puppy classes; with known, healthy, vaccinated dogs; in clean environments). The risk of behavior problems from missing this window (first ~3 months) often outweighs disease risk when precautions are taken.

The primary and most important time for puppy socialization is the first three months of life. During this time puppies should be exposed to as many new people, animals, stimuli and environments as can be achieved safely and without causing overstimulation.

High-Risk Places to Avoid

• Dog parks and public areas where dogs congregate
• Pet stores and veterinary clinic floors
• Public walking areas and sidewalks
• Rest stops and parking lots during travel
• Any location where unknown dogs or wild animals (foxes, coyotes) may have been

Safe Socialization Opportunities

• Indoor puppy classes with vaccination requirements
• Controlled meetings with known, healthy, vaccinated dogs
• Clean, controlled environments away from high-traffic dog areas
• Supervised interactions with livestock on your own farm

Contamination Prevention

• Clothing and shoes: Change clothes and shoes before handling puppies if you’ve been in public areas
• Hand washing: Always wash hands before puppy interaction
• Visitor restrictions: We don’t allow visitors into puppy areas to protect all our litters (other than select and well-vetted visitors such as friends and family, our vet and people who have reserved a puppy)

Veterinary Visits When Necessary

If veterinary care is needed before vaccination completion:

• Use a mobile veterinarian when possible (farm vets often treat LGDs)
• Carry puppies (never let feet touch clinic floors)
• Ensure examination tables are sterilized
• Use a blanket from home on examination surfaces

Why This Matters for Your Future Livestock Guardian

Parvovirus is particularly dangerous because it:

• Is highly contagious and can survive in the environment for years
• Requires only microscopic particles for infection
• Can be transported on shoes, clothing, and car tires
• Has a high mortality rate in unvaccinated puppies

The investment you’re making in a well-bred Maremma Sheepdog represents not just financial cost, but your future peace of mind knowing your livestock is protected. Losing a puppy to a preventable disease means starting over—more time, more money, and more worry while your livestock remains vulnerable.

Vaccination Supplies and Resources

For those interested in administering vaccines themselves (always consult with your veterinarian first), here are the essential supplies we use:

Vaccination Equipment

• Syringes: We use 3cc syringes for most vaccinations. Having the right size ensures accurate dosing and comfortable administration.
• Needles: 22-gauge needles work well for subcutaneous vaccination in puppies

Where We Source Our Vaccines

We purchase our vaccines from Revival Animal Health, which offers high-quality veterinary products direct to livestock and pet owners. They provide:

• NeoParD: Single parvovirus vaccine for 6-week-old puppies
• 5-Way vaccine: Comprehensive protection against core diseases
• Cold 24-hour shipping: Ensures vaccine potency during transport
• Detailed instructions: Clear administration guidelines

Note: Some states have restrictions on vaccine purchases by non-veterinarians. Always check your local regulations and consult with your veterinarian before administering vaccines yourself.

Storage and Handling

Proper vaccine storage is crucial for effectiveness:

• Refrigerate immediately upon arrival
• Never freeze vaccines
• Check expiration dates before use
• Allow vaccines to reach room temperature before administration
• Use vaccines within the timeframe specified on packaging

Our Holistic-But-Practical Philosophy

I consider myself a vaccine minimalist, but definitely not anti-vaccine. We believe in keeping animals safe using all necessary methods, whether conventional medications and vaccines or natural approaches. The key is choosing what works for each particular situation.

For serious puppy diseases like parvo and distemper: These diseases are extremely serious and not worth risking with natural or holistic prevention methods alone. We don’t believe alternative approaches work reliably enough, and we consider proper vaccination essential responsible care.

For general health maintenance: We incorporate many holistic and natural approaches in our overall animal care, from nutrition to parasite prevention to general wellness.

For adult dogs: We rely more heavily on natural immunity and minimal intervention, supported by the science showing long-lasting vaccine immunity.

Moving Forward: What This Means for You

If Your Puppy Leaves Before Series Completion

When puppies go home at 12 weeks, they typically need at least one more vaccination. We always advise new owners to:

• Complete the series with their veterinarian
• Follow their vet’s recommendations for their specific area
• Maintain smart socialization protocols until fully vaccinated
• Add additional vaccines (like lepto) if recommended for their region

Ongoing Support

We provide detailed vaccination records for every puppy through our Breeder Cloud Pro software and remain available for questions about continuing their vaccination protocol. As part of our lifetime breeder support, we’re always here to discuss your dog’s health needs as they mature.