If you have a brand new puppy and want to vaccinate properly right from the beginning or want figure out how to vaccinate your dog that you have had, READ on.

Because the genetic line of pure-breed dogs have been repeatedly vaccinated throughout the last century, continuing to repeat these vaccinations does more harm than good. The current vaccine protocols are dated and don't consider that these genetic lines have been vaccinated so much.  

We have found that English Bulldogs, in comparison to other pure-bred dogs are even more sensitive to vaccines and prone to having adverse reactions.  We believe this is because they are typically born via c-section and don't acquire the natural bacteria from their mothers' birth canal needed to maintain a balanced gastrointestinal system, which keeps the gut health and in turn, keeping the whole body healthy.  

This lack of healthy natural bacteria creates sickness in puppies, which compromises their immune system at birth and is further aggravated by too many vaccines, which then creates even more sickness.  

So When and How Should I Vaccinate my Dog? 

After researching veterinary journals (see sources below), we have learned that after birth, the mothers’ immunity lasts until 14 weeks of the puppies’ life (Jordan, 2021).  This suggests vaccinating as early as 6-8 weeks as recommended by the AKC, is unnecessary.  The first distemper/parvo shot should be given at a minimum of 14 weeks, preferably several weeks later.  Rabies should be administered several months later.  After each shot, homeopathic remedies, such as Thuja 30c should be given to detox each puppy from preservatives and other toxins. 

You will find a comparison between the AKC recommended vaccine schedule and our recommended vaccine schedule below.

After these core vaccines are administered, we recommend the use of an antibody titer test, which measures concentrations of antibodies in the blood to determine vaccine/protection status of an animal before any future vaccinations. Vaccines are designed to last in the body for 7.5 years - 15 years (Dodds, 2019). 

Vaccinating excessively “has the client paying for a service that is likely to be of little benefit to the pet’s existing level of protection against infectious disease.  It also increases the risk of adverse reactions from the repeated exposure to foreign substances” (Dodds, 2007). 

Further, a 2018 study collected data from VacciCheck, an antibody titer test from 16 different Dutch veterinary clinics and patients and results concluded that “most of the dogs that received last core vaccine more than 3 years ago still has a protective level of antibodies against CDV, CAV and CPV,” (Besten 2018) which supports the use of antibody titer testing before repeat vaccinations are administered.

Ultimately, vaccines are important but should not be administered excessively just because the AKC guidelines "say so." 

Sources: 

American Kennel Club (2022).  Your Complete Guide to First Year Puppy Vaccinations.

Besten, Ruby den (2018).  An Analysis of Titer Testing as Part of the Vaccination Guideline for Dogs.

Dodds, Jean (2007).  More Bumps on the Vaccine Road.

You can also learn more about vaccines and vaccinosis by clicking here!