We are not veterinarians – however, we have compiled many scholarly articles and research papers and have had discussions with the University of Wisconsin’s CAVIDS Veterinarian, our own local veterinarian, and several other veterinarians that we know who own Beagles and Show/Hunt them, regarding vaccinating our puppies.
We do regular blood tests that scientifically measure the antibody levels for Parvo and Distemper to ensure immunity in our dogs. These blood tests (TITER tests) are performed on our breeding bitches can come with a chart that shows when the mother’s antibodies will wane from the puppies for parvo and distemper.
This information is crucial to know when our puppies will be most vulnerable to the diseases so we can educate our buyers and know when to send puppies home, and so we know exactly when to administer a vaccination. This information keeps our dogs from being OVER vaccinated and keeps them from having adverse reactions to vaccines. We can prove, scientifically, if our dogs are immunized for Parvo and Distemper, and that this immunity lasts a dog’s lifetime.
Why is over-vaccination an issue? Because many vaccines contain stabilizers (things to keep the virus alive) and adjuvants (things to stimulate the dog’s immune system to activate against the virus). These are highly controversial because many of these additives are known allergens and stimulating the immune system unnaturally causes a dog’s immune system to become inflamed, which can cause a lifetime of skin and allergy issues, hyperactivity, and other neurological issues, even cancer and thyroid issues.
A simple blood draw, known as a TITER, can be done by your vet and sent to The University of Wisconsin’s CAVIDS (or lab of your vet’s choice) returns the actual antibody levels in your dog and proves (or disproves) immunity.
We have been following this protocol and doing TITER blood tests for 3 years as of 2026, and have had many, many titers done on our dogs, our puppies, and our yearlings to prove immunity and ensure our vaccination program provides immunity without over-vaccination.
If you buy a puppy from us, your puppy will NOT BE given four combination vaccines that your normal veterinarian would do. Depending upon the mother’s antibody levels we had tested, we do the following single-virus vaccinations, purchased on ice from Revival Animal Health’s online store (at the time of this writing) and we do the vaccines one-time, and perfectly timed, and then followed up with a titer on the puppy to prove immunity:
Distemper is usually the first to wane from the pups, anywhere from 3 weeks to 9 weeks, and we use the subcutaneous injection NeoVac® D, which contains only the virus and Gentamicin (an antibiotic as a preservative). Know what is in your vaccines you are giving your dog!
Parvovirus is the next to run out, however, mother’s antibodies can last anywhere from 8-16 weeks in a puppy, so its important to know the mother’s levels to know when to give this vaccination. We use TruCan™ Parvo (Duramune Max Pv), a subcutaneous injection that contains only the virus and Gentamicin (an antibiotic as a preservative).
3 weeks after the first two vaccinations, we do the blood draw TITER and send it in. In a week, we get the results with the antibody levels to prove immunity. So far we have NOT HAD A PUPPY THAT HAS NOT BEEN IMMUNE! It’s at this point we do the next vaccination:
Kennel Cough and other respiratory disease: We do not titer for these as they are short-lived in a dog and by the time we give it, around 16-19 weeks old, the puppies need it. Immunity has been shown by studies to last up to 15 months. We use TruCan™ BAPi (BronchiShield III) which contains Adenovirus Type 2, Parainfluenza (not the same as the flu. Parainfluenza is different and can be a cause of encephalitis or hydro puppies), and Bordatella (kennel cough). This vaccine does not contain a stabilizer or adjuvant. Just the avirulent live culture of the virus.
We live in Michigan, and Michigan law states that a Rabies vaccine must be administered to puppies by the time they are 4 months old. Because the previous vaccinations my take longer than this according to the antibody levels, we wait to do the Rabies vaccine until 3 weeks after the kennel cough vaccination. Some where around 20-24 weeks of age – closer to the 6 month old range. A veterinarian must administer, and the one our vet was using at the time of this writing is Zoetis Rabies – Defensor® 3. This is a subcutaneous injection and contains Aluminum hydroxide (adjuvant), phenol (stabilizer). As you can imagine, with both an immune stimulator and a virus stabilizer, this rabies vaccine is very hard on a dog’s system. It’s important to monitor the puppy after this rabies vaccination for adverse reactions. Michigan law (and many other states) require the puppy to be re-vaccinated for rabies after 1 year, and then every 3 years thereafter. You CAN prove immunity with a titer blood draw, however, the law still requires the continuous vaccinations unless your veterinarian will write an exemption letter due to the dog’s failing health or other reasons. You will need this letter when acquiring licensing for your dog.
3 weeks after the rabies vaccination, or in the spring (warm weather spreads the bacteria), whichever comes first, we vaccinate for Leptospirosis. This is a bacteria (not a virus) and very prevalent in standing water and big cities where lots of animals and wild life reside, their urine being the source. There are hundreds of strains of Lepto but only 4 are contained in the vaccination. In the past, Lepto vaccinations were notorious for fatal adverse reactions in puppies. Most likely due to the additives. Recent years have improved the vaccination however many breeders and owners choose not to do it. Lepto however, can kill a dog and causes the organs to shut down. We choose to do it. It’s a short-lived vaccine, lasting anywhere from 1-2 years in your dog. You can titer for this as well, however, we choose to do it every other year. The initial vaccine for the puppy requires one shot and then 3 weeks later a booster, then annually after that. We use Nobivac® Canine Lepto4, which contains the strains Leptospira Canicola- Grippotyphosa-Icterohaemorrhagiae-Pomon. It’s a subcutaneous injection that contains gentamicin and amphotericin B (killed antibiotics) as preservatives.
There are other vaccines you can give to your dog, such as the Lymes vaccine or the Rattlesnake vaccine, there is now a vaccine for heartworm/flea tick, however, we choose NOT to use these as Lymes is controversial, and we don’t have rattlesnakes here, and the medication in the heartworm/flea tick vaccine can cause seizures in Beagles.
Don’t be afraid to consult with your veterinarian, however, be sure to be the voice of your dog – know what you are putting into them and why, and if it’s truly needed, and when to give it.