Should a breeder vaccinate puppies?

At eight weeks old, your puppy will be due for their first vaccinations. Some breeders will have arranged their puppies’ first vaccinations before they go to their new home. If this is the case, you will be given a vaccination card by the breeder. Your puppy will need to have a second set of vaccinations, usually at around 10 weeks of age. If your puppy has not been vaccinated by the breeder, you will need to make an appointment with your own vet as soon as possible. A good breeder will make sure that their dogs are screened for any known genetic disorders before they are used for breeding. They will test the puppies if necessary too. Most reputable breeders sell their puppies with a short period of pet insurance cover.

Puppies are relatively safe for the very early weeks of their life, as they will have immunity that has been passed to them through their mother’s milk. However, we strongly recommend that puppies receive their first injections at 6-8 weeks old. The first puppy vaccination should take place at 8 weeks of age - this will often be completed by a breeder, but we strongly recommend that you check. Your vet will recommend the best approach to ensure your puppy isn’t left vulnerable. If you are unsure about your puppy’s vaccination history, it is best to speak to your vet rather than assume that they are covered. You should always check your pet’s vaccination history in advance and ensure that you are provided with paperwork for their vaccinations.

The veterinary advice is not to expose your puppy to other dogs or places they frequent until they are fully vaccinated and that is very important advice to reduce the risk of exposure to life threatening illnesses or diseases. Ideally a puppy will be re-homed at around 8 weeks, receive their first vaccine immediately or within a few days and then their second vaccine around 2 weeks later – depending upon the type used. A week or so after the second vaccination puppies are normally allowed out to explore the world. Unfortunately there are a number of breeders that are administering the first vaccine on the day that the puppy is picked up by their new puppy parents thinking they are being very helpful – but instead they can be contributing to problems with the puppy’s behavioural development. My advice is simply to say no when your breeder offers to vaccinate your puppy and instead take them straight to your vet for a health check and to start their vaccination programme as soon as possible. That way, as well as reducing the risk of infection you will maximise their opportunity for behavioural development through effective socialisation. When a puppy has been vaccinated without any record of the vaccine, or when the vaccine has not been administered by a registered vet, your vet will most likely want to start the vaccines again and rightly so to ensure your puppy remains safe and healthy. Not only does starting again delay the procedure, but they will often have to wait a couple of weeks before they begin because they are unsure what vaccine was previously administered by the breeder. If the puppy is 10 weeks old when you pick them up and have been provided with an unknown vaccine by a breeder, then you may have to wait a couple of weeks before they can start their vaccination programme with your vet meaning they will not be fully vaccinated and ready to explore the world until almost 16 weeks of age. For full details on health and vaccines you should always consult with your vet.

Puppies are typically vaccinated at eight and ten weeks with the second dose usually being given two to four weeks later. Your puppy will then require a booster vaccination at 6 or 12 months. Vaccinations protect your pup from the following nasty diseases: Canine distemper, Canine parvovirus, Kennel cough, Leptospirosis, Parainfluenza. The costs can vary depending on what vaccines are given and when. But the costs are usually far less than treatment for the diseases they prevent. Your vet is always the best source of information on the vaccinations and treatments your new puppy will need. Speak to your vet about the best timings. When you first get your puppy, the first thing you should do is register with your local vets who will be able to carry out the vaccinations your puppy needs.