Vaccination Guide

A clear, balanced, evidence-based approach to vaccinating your new puppy and caring for your adult dog.

At Swish Sheps, we want our puppy families to feel informed, confident and empowered when making decisions about their dog’s long-term health. Vaccination is one of the most important choices you’ll make early on — but also one of the most confusing. Many owners are unsure about how many vaccines their puppy actually needs and when.

This guide summarises the best available evidence from canine immunology experts and the principles outlined in the Dogs Naturally Magazine Puppy Vaccination Guide. It is not a replacement for veterinary advice, but it will help you understand the science so you can make thoughtful, well-informed decisions.

⭐ Why Vaccination Matters — But Over-Vaccination Doesn’t Help

Vaccines protect puppies from extremely dangerous viruses:

Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvovirus (collectively known as core diseases).

These vaccines save lives. However, more vaccines are not always better.

Research in veterinary immunology shows that:

• A properly timed core vaccine can provide long-lasting — often lifelong — immunity.

• Repeating the same vaccine over and over does not necessarily increase protection.

• Many booster schedules exist because of tradition, not scientific necessity.

  
  

Swish Sheps follows an evidence-based, minimal approach that protects puppies without unnecessary medical interventions.

⭐ Understanding Maternal Antibodies

When puppies are born, they receive immunity from their mother’s milk. These maternal antibodies are extremely important — but they can also block vaccines from working.

This means:

• Vaccinating too early can be pointless, because the mother’s antibodies cancel out the vaccine.

• The window where a vaccine can “take” varies significantly among puppies — anywhere from 8 to 26 weeks.

• This is why traditional vets vaccinate every 2–4 weeks: they’re trying to hit the moment when maternal antibodies drop enough for a vaccine to work.

But immunology research shows a simpler option:

➡️ One well-timed core vaccine, given after maternal antibodies fade, can produce strong, lasting immunity.

⭐ The One-and-Done Core Vaccine Approach

Many leading immunology researchers — including Dr. Ronald Schultz — have demonstrated that:

A single dose of a high-quality modified-live core vaccine (DHP) given at 12–16+ weeks can provide years or even lifetime protection.

This aligns with the approach we at Swish Sheps follow and recommend:

• Give one DHP vaccine at 12+ weeks

• No automatic annual boosters

• Follow-up with titer testing if you want to confirm immunity

  
  

This method protects puppies effectively while minimising unnecessary vaccination.

⭐ What About Boosters?

Traditional booster schedules recommend annual or every-three-year revaccination.

However:

• There is no strong evidence that repeated vaccination improves immunity once a dog is fully protected.

• Immunity to Distemper, Parvo and Hepatitis lasts many years, often for life.

• Revaccinating a dog who is already immune does not make them “more immune.”

  
  

If you want certainty, titers are the answer.

⭐ Titer Testing: The Smart Alternative

A titer test measures your dog’s antibody levels against core diseases.

This allows you to:

• Confirm your puppy is protected

• Avoid unnecessary booster shots

• Make tailored, individualised decisions about future vaccines

  
  

Many Swish Sheps puppy owners choose to titer test instead of automatically revaccinating.

⭐ Non-Core Vaccines: The Leptospirosis Vaccine — Why We Do Not Recommend It

At Swish Sheps, we do not recommend the Leptospirosis vaccine at all and we want our puppy owners to understand exactly why.

Our recommendation is based on widely documented concerns in veterinary immunology, clinical safety data and the known behaviour of the Leptospira bacteria.

1. High Rates of Adverse Reactions

Lepto vaccines are among the most reactive veterinary vaccines. Numerous clinical reports over the past two decades have documented:

• Higher risk of acute allergic reactions

• Facial swelling

• Gastrointestinal disturbances

• Pain, lethargy and fever

• Increased incidence of autoimmune reactions in predisposed breeds

  
  

Growing puppies — whose immune systems are still developing — appear more vulnerable to these reactions.

2. Very Short Duration of Immunity

Unlike core vaccines, which provide many years of protection, the Leptospirosis vaccine has a short and unreliable duration of immunity, often lasting less than 12 months.

This means dogs must be revaccinated frequently to maintain even partial protection.

3. Limited Strain Coverage (Serovar Mismatch)

The bacteria that cause leptospirosis exist in hundreds of serovars, but vaccines only cover a tiny handful.

Protection is therefore incomplete by design. Even vaccinated dogs can — and routinely do — contract strains not covered by the vaccine.

4. Questionable Effectiveness in Real-World Conditions

Documented field data shows inconsistent protection:

• Vaccinated dogs still become infected

• Shedding of bacteria may still occur

• Environmental exposure risks vary regionally and are often overstated

  
  

In many areas, the chance of a pet dog encountering the specific strains covered by the vaccine is exceptionally low.

5. Increased Risk of Hypersensitivity in German Shepherd–Line Dogs

Herding breeds — including German Shepherd Dogs — are known to carry genetics that correlate with heightened vaccine reactivity.

Given that Swish Sheps produces puppies from German Shepherd lines, we consider the Leptospirosis vaccine an unnecessary and avoidable risk.

6. Disease Can Be Treated With Antibiotics When Caught Promptly

While leptospirosis can be serious, it is also treatable when detected early.

Prompt veterinary care, awareness of symptoms and avoiding high-risk environments provide meaningful protection without exposing puppies to the risks of the vaccine.

⭐ Potential Risks of Over-Vaccination

Although vaccinations are generally safe, unnecessary vaccines can increase the chances of:

• Allergic reactions

• Autoimmune issues

• Chronic inflammation

• Digestive or skin problems

• Behavioural changes in sensitive dogs

• Stress on the immune system during development

  
  

These effects are rare — but they’re also avoidable when vaccines are spaced appropriately and used thoughtfully.

⭐ Our Vaccination Philosophy

Our approach is simple:

✔️ Protect puppies from serious disease

We support vaccination — especially for Parvo, Distemper and Hepatitis.

✔️ Avoid unnecessary vaccines

We recommend one core vaccine at 12+ weeks, followed by titer testing.

We do not recommend the Leptospirosis vaccine.

✔️ Individualise, don’t generalise

Each puppy’s environment and lifestyle differ. Vaccine choices should reflect that.

✔️ Work with vets who respect your choices

Good veterinary care involves informed consent, open conversation and balance.

⭐ FAQs

Do Swish Sheps puppies come vaccinated?

They receive the recommended core DHP vaccine at the proper age. We never give early “token” vaccines that won’t be effective.

Should I give the Lepto vaccine?

No — we do not recommend the Leptospirosis vaccine due to safety concerns, limited efficacy and high reactivity, especially in shepherd-line dogs.

What about yearly boosters?

We do not recommend routine boosters unless a titer test shows they’re needed.

Can I take my puppy out before vaccination?

Yes, safely — using a puppy stroller, arms, or car-bound observation sessions. We guide all our owners on safe early socialisation.

⭐ Final Thoughts

Vaccination should protect your puppy — not overwhelm their developing immune system.

By following a thoughtful, research-based schedule, you can keep your puppy safe and support their long-term health.

If you ever need guidance, reassurance or help planning your puppy’s first vet visit, we’re always here.

Your puppy deserves the very best start in life — and at Swish Sheps, that’s exactly what we aim to give.

Dawn & Phil 🐾