DHPP Vaccine for Dogs: Distemper and Parvo Protection

What DHPP Protects Against

• D: Distemper, an often-fatal virus affecting the lungs, gut and nervous system. See distemper in dogs.⁹
• H or A2: Adenovirus type 2, part of the core vaccine set.^1,3
• P: Parainfluenza, a cause of kennel cough. AAHA lists it as optional in the combination.¹
• P: Parvovirus, which causes severe, often bloody diarrhea. See parvo in dogs.¹⁰

DHLPP adds leptospirosis. Bordetella (kennel cough) is a separate vaccine.¹

DHPP Schedule

• Puppies: start at 6 to 8 weeks and repeat every 2 to 4 weeks until 16 weeks or older. In high-risk areas, many vets give a final dose at 18 to 20 weeks.^3,2,4
• Dogs first vaccinated over 16 weeks: 2 doses, 2 to 4 weeks apart.¹
• First booster: within a year of the puppy series, or at 26 weeks under WSAVA guidance.^1,3
• Adults: every 3 years.^1,2

See the full dog and puppy vaccination schedule.

Why the Last Puppy Shot Matters

Antibodies from the mother protect a puppy at first but also neutralize vaccines. They fade at different rates, and in some puppies parvo antibodies last until 13 to 15 weeks or longer.^2,11 In one study, no puppy responded to the vaccine while its mother's antibodies were high.¹² That's why a dose at 16 weeks or older is needed, and why a puppy isn't fully protected until about 1 to 2 weeks after its final shot.^3,13

Can a Vaccinated Dog Get Parvo or Distemper?

It's rare in a dog that has completed the full series. Most "vaccine failures" happen when the puppy series stopped at 12 weeks, before maternal antibodies had faded, or when vaccines were stored or given incorrectly.^14,2 The vaccines protect against the parvo strains common in North America, including CPV-2c.¹⁰

Titer Testing Instead of Boosters

A titer test measures antibodies in the blood. WSAVA supports titers to confirm a puppy has responded and to guide adult boosters, but AAHA doesn't usually advise routine titers in place of boosters, except in a few cases such as dogs with past vaccine reactions.^3,15 In-clinic tests are reliable for parvo, but a 2025 study found some kits often misjudge distemper protection, so lab testing may be more accurate.¹⁶

Other Vaccines Your Dog May Need

• Rabies: required by law in most areas.¹
• Leptospirosis: now considered core by AAHA for all dogs, because any dog that goes outdoors can be exposed through water, soil or wildlife urine. Two doses from 12 weeks, then yearly.^17,1,18
• Lyme disease: for dogs in tick areas.¹
• Bordetella and canine influenza: for dogs that board, attend daycare, train in groups or compete.¹

Frequently Asked Questions

Do dogs need the DHPP vaccine every year?

Usually not. After the puppy series and first booster, most adult dogs need it every 3 years.

Is DHPP the same as Bordetella?

No. Bordetella is a separate kennel cough vaccine.

What's the difference between DHPP and DHLPP?

DHLPP also includes leptospirosis, which needs a yearly booster.

How much does the DHPP vaccine cost?

Prices vary by clinic, and low-cost clinics and shelters often charge much less.

When is my puppy protected?

About 1 to 2 weeks after the final puppy dose at 16 weeks or older.