Dog vaccination schedule in the UK

Vaccinating your dog is not optional or an unnecessary expense: it protects its life and public health, and microchipping is a legal requirement across the UK. This guide covers the full schedule, costs, where to get it done and the complementary parasite control.

Why is vaccinating important?

Canine infectious diseases (parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, rabies) are potentially fatal and highly contagious. Parvovirus has a 90% mortality rate in unvaccinated puppies. Distemper is practically eradicated in vaccinated dogs but flares up every year in unprotected colonies or packs.

In addition, some diseases are zoonotic (transmissible to humans): rabies, leptospirosis. Vaccinating your dog also protects you and your family.

Puppy schedule (6 weeks - 16 weeks)

This is the most critical phase. The antibodies a puppy receives from its mother fall between 6 and 16 weeks: while they last, they can cancel out the vaccine, and when they disappear the puppy is left unprotected. That is why the last dose is given at 16 weeks or later.

• 6-8 weeks · first multivalent dose (parvovirus + distemper + hepatitis, often with parainfluenza)
• 10-12 weeks · second multivalent dose + first leptospirosis dose
• 16 weeks or later · last multivalent dose + second leptospirosis dose (2-4 weeks after the first). Rabies from 12 weeks, in the communities that require it.
• From 6 months · first dose of the leishmaniosis vaccine if you live in a risk area, always after a negative leishmania test
• 6-12 months · booster of the puppy course (multivalent + leptospirosis); from then on, the adult schedule

During the course, do NOT take your puppy to public areas with dogs (parks, busy streets) until it is fully vaccinated. It can go out in your arms or into a private garden, but contact with unknown dogs must be avoided.

Adult schedule (1+ years)

After the booster at 6-12 months, each vaccine has its own rhythm (WSAVA and AVEPA guidelines):

• Core multivalent (parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis) · every 3 years with vaccines that are valid for three years; your vet will tell you which one they use
• Rabies · every year or every 3 years, depending on the vaccine (some are valid for three years) and what your community requires
• Leptospirosis · ANNUAL (it does not last 3 years)
• Leishmaniasis · annual if travelling to an endemic area
• Kennel cough (Bordetella) · if going to daycare, boarding kennels or shows

Rabies: required for travel abroad

Rabies is the only legally compulsory vaccine in most of Spain: in 15 autonomous communities plus Ceuta and Melilla, according to MAPA. In Catalonia and Galicia it is not compulsory in general, except in certain cases (travel, certain dogs), but it is recommended. It is zoonotic (it can pass to people) and fatal without treatment after exposure.

It is given from 12 weeks of age, with a booster every year or every 3 years depending on the vaccine and your community. It is recorded in the official health record and in your Mizuu digital passport when you use a vet from the network.

If you travel abroad: rabies vaccination is required to travel with a pet passport or an Animal Health Certificate. Since Brexit, an Animal Health Certificate is needed to travel from Great Britain to the EU. Some countries (Australia, for example) also require a blood test. Check with your vet 4-6 months before the trip.

Leishmaniasis: a risk when travelling to the Mediterranean

It is transmitted by the sandfly (a small insect similar to a mosquito, but different), which is active at dusk and at night, from April to November at the very least and all year round in warm areas. It is endemic mainly along the Mediterranean and in Andalusia, Extremadura, Aragon, Madrid and the Balearic Islands. In endemic areas, a large share of dogs end up infected. Some reassurance: dogs do not pass it directly to people; the sandfly is needed.

Full protection:

• Annual vaccine (Letifend) · from 6 months of age and after a negative test; it reduces the risk of developing the disease by around 70%
• Repellent collar (deltamethrin, or imidacloprid + flumethrin) throughout the whole sandfly season
• Permethrin repellent spot-ons (every 3-4 weeks) · never on cats: they are toxic to them!
• Avoid walks at dusk in areas with sandflies

Cost by region

Prices vary quite a bit by area. Approximate at a private clinic:

• Complete puppy pack (primary course + microchip + 2 check-ups) · €90-180
• Check-up + annual booster · €35-60
• Rabies (individual) · €15-25
• Leishmaniasis · €60-90/year (dose included)
• Prior leishmaniasis test (recommended before the first vaccine) · €25-40

Council campaigns: many local councils organise free or heavily discounted days (£5-£10) 1-2 times a year. Check with your local council or animal welfare charities. Mizuu also displays vets from our network with competitive rates.

Parasite control: just as critical

Vaccines do not protect against parasites. Follow a parallel routine:

• Fleas and ticks (external) · spot-on every 4 weeks, tablet (NexGard every month, Simparica every 5 weeks, Bravecto every 12 weeks) or collar (up to 6-8 months, depending on the product)
• Intestinal worms (internal) · at least 4 times a year if you do not know the risk well (ESCCAP); every month in puppies up to 6 months
• Heartworm · monthly preventive in risk areas: the Canary Islands, the Levante, Huelva and Doñana, and irrigated valleys (Ebro, Guadalquivir, Tagus, Salamanca)
• Coccidia and giardia · only if detected in tests

Microchipping: mandatory in the UK

Animal welfare Law 7/2023 requires all dogs, cats and ferrets to be identified with a microchip and registered in the companion animal register of your autonomous community.

• Cost: €15-30 (registration included). Once in a lifetime.
• It is implanted between the shoulder blades using a special syringe. It is very quick and causes minimal discomfort.
• It is usually done at the same time as the first vaccine (8-12 weeks).
• Fines for not microchipping: up to €500.

If you adopt through Mizuu, dogs arrive already microchipped and registered. The rescue transfers the registration into your name on the microchip database during the adoption process.

Where to vaccinate?

Private vet: the most complete option. They examine your dog, keep clinical records and advise you on parasite control. Higher cost but a comprehensive service. If you use a Mizuu network vet, the records stay in your digital passport, accessible to any future vet.

Charity clinic: an affordable option if your budget is limited. It covers the legal essentials (microchip) but usually lacks individual clinical attention.

Shelter vet: if you adopted, your dog probably already comes with the course well under way. Ask the rescue which doses are still outstanding.

In short: a complete puppy course (doses up to 16 weeks or later, rabies where required, and a microchip), a booster at 6-12 months, then core vaccines every 3 years and leptospirosis every year, the leishmaniosis vaccine if you live in an endemic area (with a prior test), and parasite control according to the product. Realistic annual cost: €100-200 for everything. Your Mizuu digital passport keeps the schedule in one place and reminds you of boosters.