Puppies have some protection from disease in their first few weeks of life, from the antibodies in their mother’s milk. These antibodies will fall, so pups need to develop their own immunity through vaccination. Most puppies should get the first of their core vaccinations from six weeks of age. They should receive a second vaccine two to four weeks later, depending on the puppy’s age and the vaccine brand. Vaccinations can take days or weeks to be fully effective – your vet will be able to tell you more. Speak to your vet about best timings for your pup. They’ll need to see your puppy’s vaccination paperwork. If you’ve bought your dog from a responsible breeder, they should be able to supply you with this. Your vet can tell you what’s needed – it’ll depend on the individual risk to your dog and the brand of vaccines used. As well as a first-year booster, your pup will typically need: a top-up dose of leptospirosis vaccine every year, top-up doses of canine adenovirus, canine parvovirus and canine distemper vaccines every three years.