2026 Dog Vaccine Schedule Tracker
Enter your dog's birth date and get an instant, personalized 2026 timeline with DHPP, rabies, deworming and heartworm dates. Breed-specific recommendations, senior dog guidance, and next-booster reminders. Free, no sign-up, your data stays on your device.
Saved to this browser only. Your dog's profile is remembered next time. Nothing is uploaded. Add multiple dogs to track your whole pack.
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis or treatment. Vaccine schedules are generalized estimates based on AAHA and AVMA guidelines. Your dog's individual needs depend on breed, age, health status, lifestyle and local disease risk. Always consult your veterinarian about your dog's specific vaccination and health needs. Never delay or avoid veterinary care because of information you read on this website. If you think your dog has a medical emergency, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately.
How 2026 dog vaccine schedules work
A dog's vaccine schedule isn't a single event. It's a timeline running from those first puppy shots at 6-8 weeks all the way through adulthood and into the senior years. Puppies receive a series of DHPP boosters every 3 to 4 weeks between about 6 and 16 weeks of age, because the antibodies they get from their mother's milk slowly fade and would otherwise block a single vaccine from working. Rabies is added between 12 and 16 weeks, and it's the one shot legally required in every U.S. state.
After the puppy series, the rhythm changes. Around a dog's first birthday, the core vaccines get a one-year booster, and from there most adult dogs are revaccinated every three years. Layered on top of vaccines are the ongoing preventives: monthly heartworm medication, monthly flea and tick control, and regular deworming every two weeks for young puppies, then settling into every three months for adults.
By age 7, dogs enter their senior years and vaccine decisions become more nuanced. Conditions like immunosenescence mean the immune system responds differently, and chronic conditions like kidney or heart disease affect what vaccines are safe. Many vets now offer antibody titer testing for senior dogs, a blood test that measures existing immunity and can sometimes replace an automatic booster. The schedule that worked at age 3 may not be right at age 10.
It's a lot of overlapping dates to track in your head, which is exactly the problem PupVax solves. Enter your dog's birth date once and the tool lays the whole plan out on a single timeline: what's already been done, what's coming up, and what's due soon, color-coded so the urgent items stand out. Save a profile for each dog in your household and it all comes back the next time you visit. No account, no app, no data leaving your device. Use it to walk into every vet visit knowing exactly what your dog is due for in 2026.
Vaccine schedules by breed (2026)
Breed-specific guidance with health risks, recommended vaccines, and age-stage vaccine maps for 20 popular breeds.
2026 vaccine and prevention guides
Travel and boarding vaccine requirements (2026)
What vaccines your dog needs before boarding, grooming, flying, or visiting dog parks.
Boarding kennel / dog daycare
Required: Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella
Nearly all facilities require proof of current rabies and DHPP. Bordetella is required by most boarding and daycare facilities, often within the last 6-12 months.
Professional grooming
Required: Rabies, DHPP, Bordetella (often)
Most groomers require proof of rabies at minimum. Many also ask for Bordetella due to close contact with other dogs.
Domestic air travel (within U.S.)
Required: Rabies (mandatory), DHPP (recommended)
Airlines require a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, which includes proof of rabies vaccination. DHPP is usually required by the certifying vet.
International travel
Required: Rabies (mandatory), DHPP, lepto (varies)
Every country sets its own import rules. Many rabies-free countries (UK, Australia, Japan) require a rabies titer test months in advance plus microchip. Check USDA APHIS for destination-specific requirements.
Dog parks / public dog runs
Required: Rabies, DHPP (strongly recommended), Bordetella (recommended)
While not legally required to enter most parks, your dog should be fully vaccinated before visiting any off-leash area with unknown dogs.
Camping / hiking with your dog
Required: Rabies, DHPP, lepto (recommended), Lyme (recommended in tick country)
Outdoor dogs face higher exposure to wildlife, standing water and ticks. Lepto and Lyme become much more important for dogs that camp and hike regularly.
Frequently asked questions
How does this 2026 dog vaccine schedule tracker work?
Enter your dog's name, birth date and breed. PupVax instantly builds a full 2026 timeline of core and non-core vaccines, deworming and heartworm prevention, with each due date and a highlight of what's coming up next. The tool adjusts recommendations based on breed-specific risks (parvo-susceptible breeds, water-loving breeds, etc). Your dog's profile is saved in your browser so it's ready every time you come back. Add multiple dogs to track your whole pack.
What vaccines does my dog actually need in 2026?
Core vaccines (DHPP and rabies) are recommended for every dog by AAHA 2026 guidelines. Non-core vaccines like Bordetella, leptospirosis and Lyme are added based on your dog's lifestyle, breed risks and where you live. For example, a Labrador that swims needs leptospirosis, a Rottweiler needs strict DHPP timing due to parvo susceptibility, and a Shih Tzu at the groomer monthly needs Bordetella. Your veterinarian decides the final plan.
Is this a substitute for seeing a vet?
No. PupVax is for educational purposes only and uses standard, generalized schedules based on AAHA and AVMA 2026 guidelines. Your veterinarian knows your dog's individual history, breed-specific risks, local disease pressure and health status. Always confirm timing with them. Never delay or skip veterinary care based on information from this website.
Is PupVax free?
Yes, completely free. No sign-up, no app, no subscription. Your dog profiles are stored only in your own browser's localStorage and never uploaded to any server. You can add unlimited dogs and switch between them. The tool works offline once the page is loaded.
What if my dog is a senior? Does the schedule change?
Yes. Dogs over 7 years old have different vaccine considerations. PupVax automatically detects if your dog is a senior and shows age-appropriate recommendations, including titer testing as an alternative to automatic boosters. Visit our Senior Dog Vaccine Guide for the complete picture.
Does this tool cover travel and boarding vaccine requirements?
Yes. The breed selection includes lifestyle notes that flag whether your dog needs Bordetella for boarding, lepto for camping, or Lyme for tick-heavy regions. See the Travel & Boarding section below for vaccine requirements by scenario including domestic air travel, international pet travel, kennels and dog parks.
What is the rabies vaccine law in my state?
Rabies vaccination is legally required in all 50 U.S. states. Most states require the first shot at 3-4 months, a booster one year later, then every 1-3 years depending on the vaccine used. All states recognize 3-year rabies vaccines for adult dogs as of 2026. Check our Rabies Vaccine Guide for state-by-state details.
How do I get a personalized schedule with exact dates?
Use the tool above. Enter your dog's name, birth date (or adoption date if you don't know the exact birthday), and optional breed. The tool generates a complete timeline with actual calendar dates. You can add multiple dogs and switch between them. Everything is saved to your browser automatically.
⚠️ Medical Disclaimer:PupVax provides generalized 2026 dog vaccine schedules for educational purposes only. This is not veterinary advice. The dates generated are estimates based on AAHA and AVMA standard schedules and do not account for your dog's individual health history, breed-specific risks or local disease prevalence. Always consult your veterinarian before making vaccination decisions. If you believe your dog is having a medical emergency, contact your veterinarian or an emergency animal hospital immediately.