The vaccination record is the most requested health document in a dog's life: kennels, groomers, travel, puppy school. Here is what it should contain and at what pace.
The core vaccines
They protect against serious, highly contagious diseases still present in Belgium:
- Distemper: viral, often fatal, attacks the nervous system.
- Parvovirus: haemorrhagic diarrhoea, dreaded in puppies.
- Infectious hepatitis (adenovirus): liver damage.
- Leptospirosis: bacteria spread by rodent urine and standing water; transmissible to humans.
Vaccines depending on lifestyle
- Kennel cough (Bordetella, parainfluenza): recommended for dogs going to kennels, daycare or shows.
- Rabies: not mandatory for a dog staying in Belgium, but essential for travelling in the EU (at least 21 days before departure, with a European passport).
- Leishmaniasis, babesiosis: discuss with your vet if you travel to southern Europe.
Typical puppy schedule
| Age | What is done | |---|---| | 6 to 8 weeks | First injection (distemper, parvo, hepatitis) | | 12 weeks | Second injection + leptospirosis | | 16 weeks | Third injection (mainly parvo) | | 1 year | First full booster |
The exact protocol depends on the vaccine used and the puppy's situation: your vet sets it.
Adult boosters
- Leptospirosis: every year.
- Distemper, parvo, hepatitis: every 1 to 3 years depending on the vaccine.
- Rabies: valid 1 to 3 years depending on the vaccine; check before any trip.
What the law says in Belgium
No vaccine is legally mandatory for a dog living in Belgium. However, microchip identification and registration in the national database are mandatory. Kennels, shelters and foreign countries require vaccination in practice.
Never miss a booster again
A booster a few months late often means restarting the primary course. With Zoolinko, every vaccine is recorded in your dog's digital health record and you get a reminder 30 days and 7 days before the due date. Your vet sees the same file.
General information: your dog's vaccination protocol is decided by your vet.