He's Finally Here!

[BoxersRUs]

Hey All,
It's been a long wait, but finally our little Rocky is home with us. He's doing great. The first night I slept beside his crate and he whined very little. We've had a couple accidents, but all in all, he's doing alright with us taking him out to pee.

A couple questions for all the more experienced owners. Our breeder believes very srongly in feeding Raw and minimal shots. She only gives her dogs rabies shots, and nothing else. She hasn't given any of her dogs parvo shots in over 5 years, and has never in her 19 years had a case of the disease. She pretty much only wants the rabies shots given, and thats simply because it's the law. She said that if we were to give ANY shots, she wants them done seperatley, as opposed to the combined shots.

Here's my question. If i were to give the absolute minimal, in YOUR opinion, which shots would be classified as the absolute minimum? Our breeders belief is that the dogs will maintain a stronger immune system by exspoing them to different environments. The dogs have been to dog shows already, and have been with other dogs, and they're doing great.

Just wanting to gather some opinions from which I can make some sort of decision as to what we're going to do.

Thanks!

[Tiffany0204]

Okay, I know you only want advice from experienced owners... but had to post to say congrats on getting your little guy home! I'm not experienced in this... so I won't give my 2.5 cents.

[TribalRats]

First of all...Congrats on you new puppy! He sure is one cute guy! So glad he is finally home with you!

In my experience shots are priceless. Vaccinations coupled with strong genetics is what keeps a dog healthy.
For me the Parvo shot is a MUST. This is not something to be taken lightly. While I have never had a dog with Parvo that is certainly not something I wold ever want to tempt.
Now, I am not your breeder but I am a breeder and let me tell you not only would I NEVER place a dog that has not had it's shots but I would be VERY angry if a person who bought one of my puppies did not follow up on boosters.
I am not saying anything bad about your breeder, that is not my place. I am just giving you my own personal feelings on the subject.
I know there is allot of controversy right now surrounding shots and the right amounts and timing however I am sorry but my opinion is better safe then sorry. I would vaccinate. There are many less reactions to shots then there are deaths caused by Parvo.
Please do your own research and make the decision for yourself. Call some Vets. and get there opinions.
I am sure your breeder has very immune strong dogs and that she has never had parvo at her house which is why she has never had a case of Parvo but honestly there is no reason to take that risk. All it takes is one encounter. You can bring the darn disease in on your shoes for heavens sake and it can live for a long time in your yard...your friends yard....the park...any where!
Th breeder I got my dogs from has never had Parvo either and she prides herself on having a very immune strong line (Rats are prone to corn allergies as well as some other hot spot type allergies non of which her line has ever had) and yet she refuses to let a puppy leave her house until it is vaccinated. In her contract with a puppy buyer it is stated the puppy must be kept current on all of there shots...ALL of them. Again the theory is better safe then sorry.
Ok I will hush now. Please do your own research, search the internet, call vets in your area......please.

[Kade]

I'm with TribalRats on this one... Parvo is such a devastating disease, and it spreads insidiously.

I suppose you have to look at your situation, location, etc. Maybe your breeder has enough dogs that she doesn't go to a lot of other locations to socialize... If you were planning on going to a dog park or anything like that, I would highly recommend the Parvo vax. Not to mention that if you plan to use a doggie daycare or board your dog for any length of time, he will need proof of all vaccinations.

What kind of area do you live in? The problem with these communicable diseases is that it just takes one infected dog walking down the street to infect all the other vulnerable dogs in the neighborhood.

I am all for researching and giving our dogs less vaccinations, when it fits the circumstance. But speaking as a puppy owner who has seen first hand the vulnerability of those little immune systems, I would be very wary of trying to get through puppyhood without some extra protection. I do know that there is a lot of reliance on the "herd immunity" or whatever it's called -- basically, "my dog doesn't need to be vaxed because all the dogs he comes into contact with are vaxed and therefore he's not exposed to any sick dogs." But I think that line of thinking is a little selfish in the end. Because pregnant bitches run the risk of exposing their pups... young puppies who haven't yet gotten their shots are then more at risk... etc.

But it does depend on your circumstance, so it's ultimately a decision you will have to make for yourself.

[Pugdawg1]

I do firmly believe in doing all of the puppy shot series, but I do think annual shots are overkill. We do them every three years. Next week all 4 go in .... they are getting rabies shots. Then in a couple weeks they will go back in for the basic shots. I am not comfortable with annual shots, but I feel good about doing them every three years. We don't do bordatella or lepto.

[HarleysMom]

Not a breeder but just wanted to let you know--the dhpp combo vaccine *after the puppy boosters anyway* Is now available and accepted to be done every 3 yrs..the Rabies 3 yr vaccine has been available for a little while -- NOW Im not saying that the old vaccines did not last three years because I dont know Im saying the FDA has now approved the dhpp and the rabies for 1 and 3 yr vaccines----Bordetella is only required if your pet is staying at a boarding/grooming facility--our clinic only requires it every year IN those cases where the pet is staying in a place with other dogs * or for show dogs if the owner wants it* every year Many places are now wanting animals to have it every 6 months. Lepto we dont usually give to animals other then hunting dogs or dogs spending alot of time in the lake water etc etc.

[tim-o]

get the shots. I'm sure the breeder and his whole family have never even had a cold. That means that statistically, you have a higher chance of disease.
The cost is minimal (comparatively), and you'll sleep better at night.
Congrats on the new addition. I've got a 4 year old boxer, and an 11 week old Boston Terrier (to replace our 13 year old boxer). You're in for a great ride!!

[BoxersRUs]

Thanks for the opinions and please keep them coming.

Personally I'm in the same boat as most of you. I'm pretty sure we'll be getting most of the shots. I live in a community with a lot of dogs, and I'm of the belief better safe than sorry. I do think every year is overkill, and will probably go the every three year route. Please continue to post opinions.

[Jamilupine]

Why doesn't the breeder want to vaccinate? Does she/he belive that vaccines cause illness? Do you or will you have kids? Will you vaccinate them?

I think about parents who don't vaccinate their kids because they believe it will reduce the chances of them developing autism. Okay, then they are vulnerable to other scarey and life threatening diseases. The same goes with our animals. I've had tons of animals growing up. Even our farrel cats went in for vaccines - despite the CHALLENGE of getting them there. I have never had a negative reaction to any of the vaccines. Also, I haven't ever had an animal with Parvo, rabies, or any other disease we vaccinate against.

I don't understand this breeders theory here, but please, do your own research on why he/she believes what he does. Then, make a decision knowing the possible consequences of that decision.

Kade also made the point that proof of vacinations is often required for various activities - boarding, training, etc. Make your own choice based on the facts you find. Look for journal articles that have done emperical research - this will help reduce the bias of opinion that you usually get when researching things via the web. Good luck. Hope your pup stays healthy and happy regardless of which decision you make.

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Congrats on the new baby!

My thoughts on not being given vaccinations, well thats all well and good if the breeder can control the environment the pup is going to be in ( a pup that stays with the breeder ) but when placing a puppy why on earth would you not?

Many believe that it isn't good to do vaccinations and prefer to do their own thing, I'm neither for nor against that if the dog's health and wellbeing are still the main focus, I believe it to be a personal choice BUT I also believe that the environment and over all wellbeing of a puppy should be weighed in. If you live in a place with many other dogs that may come in contact with the pup, plan on taking your puppy to places where other dogs have been or even to the veterinarian where it may come in contact with ill animals before it reaches a year old then I would strongly suggest the vaccinations. jmo

[BoxersRUs]

As to why the breeder chooses the no shots route, she believes that the dogs immune system is strong enough and will remain strong enough to fight off the diseases it come in contact with. She takes her dogs to dog shows all the time with no incident. Myself personally, would rather take the "better safe than sorry" route. Thanks again for the opinions.

[Mom2Many]

Originally Posted by BoxersRUs

As to why the breeder chooses the no shots route, she believes that the dogs immune system is strong enough and will remain strong enough to fight off the diseases it come in contact with. She takes her dogs to dog shows all the time with no incident. Myself personally, would rather take the "better safe than sorry" route. Thanks again for the opinions.

And is the breeder willing to take the puppy back and nurse him to health with parvaid if he does contract parvo? It is a tough situation, I am aware of a lot of breeders who do no vaccintions for their dogs. The problem with parvo is if the mom hasn't been exposed to the virus she will have no antibodies in her milk for the pups so the pups will have no natural born immunity for this disease. If I were you I would do parvo and rabies...with a raw diet and plenty of exercise your dogs immune system is set to acquire antibodies from different diseases it is exposed to but I never mess with parvo...especially in a breed such as the boxer, rottweiler, GSD, or any other brindle dog.

B/T/W Congratulations on your new pup! Can't wait to see pictures, he is such a doll!

[calgal]

If she only takes her dogs to dog shows then they probably don't get sick because I'm sure the other people have their dogs UTD on their shots. Her dogs probably don't get to go for walks or to dog parks either. Please, get the shots!! Parvo is picked up by the dog simply by walking in a diseased area. It's a deadly disease. http://www.wholisticanimal.com/petvaccinations.html

[mrsgrubby]

I think the parvo shot is a must!!!!
And I think that the reason her dogs can go to shows and not get sick is because all the dogs there have had their shots and so therefore don't carry anything contagious!!!!!!!!!

[Boxermom]

First of all congrats on your new puppy, from one proud Boxer owner to another, we have three of the little darling 2 white and one flashy fawn. I feel some what the same about the shots, just a little different take. We always vaccinate all the guys initial puppy shots, then at a year they get their shots, we do this until three years of age, ( just how we do it, not right or wrong, just what we think) My Husband and I and our Vet, believe that's sufficient. Our oldest Boxer Roxie is going to be 13 on November 9th, and I'll tell you what she can still hold her own when her brother and sister ( Maya flashy fawn , 5yrs and Houston white floppy ears 8 months) start running around and "boxing", soooooooooo anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is I firmly believe they are very necessary, but minimally. Best of luck, your baby is beautiful