Ruger Dachshunds

First of all, we are not "anti-vaccine".  However, we feel that through pet owners' lack of education and desire for profit on the part of vaccine manufacturers and some veterinarians, most dogs are vaccinated far too often and for diseases in which the risk of vaccination outweighs the risk for the diesease.  We also hit them with far too much vaccine for too many diseases all at the same time.  Here at Ruger, we put so much into the dogs we have; we really want to do the best for them.  We think that what you put into their mouths everyday has the most significant impact, but vaccination (or not) is a fairly close second in our book.

We vaccinate our puppies with an initial series of two to three vaccines for both Parvo and Distemper.  We use and recommend Intervet modified live Parvo/Distemper only.  These vaccines should provide immunization for distemper and parvovirus, two of the recommended “core” vaccines.  The only manufacturer we will not use is Fort Dodge.  The third “core” vaccine, adenovirus type 2 or 1 which protect against infectious canine hepatitis, is not common at all, so we choose to balance what is a threat with what is not.  We feel that the vaccine is more of a risk than the disease itself or, in the case of bacterial vaccines like leptospirosis and bordatella, that the vaccine is too short-lived and does not cover enough strains to be very helpful .  We also feel that way in regards to parainfluenza and coronavirus, so we choose not to immunize for those, either.  Please read on (especially in regards to Dr. Ron Schultz's research and Dr. Bob Rogers’ protocol) for an explanation as to why we do this.  We usually immunize for parvo and distemper at 8 and 14 weeks and occasionally at 8, 12, and 16 weeks.
Puppy shots are given in series because there is no way of knowing exactly when maternal antibodies fade.  Maternal antibodies interfere with vaccines in that they don't allow the pup to produce antibodies of his own in reaction to the vaccines.  Maternal antibodies lose their effectiveness anywhere from 8-14 weeks.  Please educate yourself on how vaccines work and you will learn why more (after the initial puppy series) isn't usually better.

After the inital puppy series of Parvo and Distemper, we do not vaccinate our dogs except for rabies, which is the only immunization required by law.  Should you choose to “booster” your dog after his initial series of puppy shots, we recommend that you do so no more often than at 1 year following the last vaccine in the puppy series, then every three years after that until age 7. 

• Dachshunds tend to react to leptospira bacterin, so we do not ever recommend giving that vaccine.  Do be aware of the symptoms of leptospirosis infection, though.  Click here for information on our personal experience with lepto.

• Your dog should not be vaccinated just prior to or immediately following a surgical procedure, when it is not feeling well or being treated for an illness or at any time his immune system is challenged by other factors such as seasonal allergies, intense training or travel.  Even slight diarrhea counts.

• Do not give multiple vaccines all at the same time – AT LEAST 4 weeks should pass before giving additional vaccines such as rabies.

Vaccination against rabies is required by Colorado state law.  We prefer the initial vaccine be given sometime after 6 months of age, though this is technically outside the law, which requires rabies at 16 weeks.  A three year booster vaccine is given one year later, then every three years after that as required by state law.  We usually get written waivers for dogs after they are 7 years of age.