We follow a strict health program for our dogs that includes frequent dewoming, vaccination schedules, and a prevention program for coccidiosis.

Our puppies are first seen by their veterinarian when they are 3 days old.  He removes dew claws and checks for general health.

Our puppies are first dewormed between 3 and 4 weeks of age, and are re-treated every two weeks. By the time they leave us, they will usually have been dewormed with at least two different types of dewormers (typically Strongid and Panacur) to ensure broad-spectrum control of normal puppy parasites.

Our puppies will also have been given preventative care for coccidiosis, which is a very common intestinal infection in puppies in the United States. Coccidiosis causes diarrhea, and often occurs after a period of stress (weaning, leaving littermates for a new home, etc.) We use Corid, Albon, and/or Marquis antiprotozoals.

Around 6 weeks of age, our puppies are given their first puppy vaccination. Our vet recommends the Ft. Dodge "Puppy Shot," or Duramune Max CVK 5. This is the first in a series of vaccinations that should be continued after you pick up your puppy. Contact your veterinarian for his/her vaccination timeline recommendations.

Recommended Vaccination Schedule

From The Humane Society

• Distemper - an airborne viral disease of the lungs, intestines and brain.
• Hepatitis - a viral disease of the liver.
• Leptospirosis - a bacterial disease of the urinary system.
• Parainfluenza - infectious bronchitis.
• Parvovirus - a viral disease of the intestines.
• Rabies - a viral disease fatal to humans and other animals.
• Corona - a viral disease of the intestines.
• Bordetella - a bacterial infection (kennel cough)

Puppies - 6 weeks to 1 year

• 6 to 8 weeks - First puppy shot (DHLPP) + Corona
• 11 to 12 weeks - Second puppy shot (DHLPP) + Corona
• 15 to 16 weeks - Third puppy shot (DHLPP) + Corona
• Over 4 months - Rabies (repeat l year later)
• 7 to 9 months - First heartworm test. Monthly heartworm prevention with Ivermectin.

Adult Dogs - After 1 year

• Monthly heartworm prevention with Ivermectin.
• DHLPP - Yearly
• Heartworm test - Yearly
• Rabies - Every 3 years (after second Rabies shot)
• Bordetella - Yearly

Note: Some states have their own laws regarding the frequency & requirement of certain vaccinations. When in doubt, always ask your veterinarian or local humane society.

We have a 2-page (front and back of one sheet of paper) health record form for puppies we sell that is great to use to keep track of your dog's health its whole life. Feel free to download it here. It is in MS Word format.

Deworming Schedule

Veterinary recommendations vary for deworming puppies, but all resources we've encountered recommend deworming at LEAST by 6 weeks of age and again at 3 months of age. 

A schedule beginning at 2 weeks with deworming every 2 weeks through the 8th week is recommended by some vets, while others recommend deworming for the first time at 6 weeks. We deworm our puppies at 2, 4, and 6 1/2 weeks and hope you'll continue with at least monthly deworming unless your veterinarian recommends otherwise.

Training/Growth Stages for Puppies

This is a neat and short article about the stages of puppy growth.  Knowing what to expect for that first year can help you both train and cope with your puppy's changes in personality and abilities.

Click Here to read the article.