At least the first course is recommended

The one thing that is certain is that the lack of highly contagious, killer diseases affecting dogs nowadays is almost enirely due to effective vacination campaigns. While there will always be individual dogs who have never been vaccinated and yet live long and healthy lives, this is clearly aided by the fact that dogs around them have been vaccinated and therefore the particular dog is never faced with the disease.

Most owners will at least have their puppy's first course of vaccination completed. Whether they continue annually is a matter for the individual. A number of vets are now recommending vaccination every three years and blood tests to check immunity levels in between.

The relaxing of UK quarantine laws, allows dogs to travel to some overseas countries, providing certain conditions of identification and vaccination are fulfilled. Rabies vaccination is required for all dogs entering the UK and boosters in the UK are necessary every two years. 

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