Does my farm dog really need vaccines?

Vaccines for Farm Dogs: Worth It or Not?

It’s a common question from hardworking farmers and homesteaders: “Do I really need to vaccinate my farm dog?” Whether it’s your loyal livestock guardian dog (LGD) or a mixed-breed farm mutt who runs the perimeter and sleeps with the goats, it’s easy to wonder if vaccines are worth the expense—especially if the dog doesn’t leave the property.

The short answer? Yes. Your farm dog absolutely needs vaccines—especially for rabies. Vaccines aren’t just for city pets who go to dog parks. They protect your animal, your family, your kids, and your entire operation from the emotional and financial cost of preventable disease. 

Rabies: The Non-Negotiable Vaccine for Every Dog

Rabies is not just a dog problem—it’s a human problem. It’s a zoonotic disease, meaning it spreads from animals to people. And it’s nearly 100% fatal once symptoms begin. Let that sink in: No cure. No coming back. Just unimaginable suffering—for your dog or your child.

Even if your farm dog doesn’t leave the property, wildlife does. Raccoons, skunks, foxes, and bats are all potential carriers of rabies. One bite, one fight, one encounter is all it takes.  Rabies is a guaranteed one-way ticket to a permanent dirt nap.

Worst of all, if your unvaccinated dog bites a person—or is suspected of being exposed to rabies—they may be legally required to be euthanized and tested. That’s not just a heartbreak; it’s a nightmare. Rabies vaccines are inexpensive, effective, and legally required in most areas. 

Brief Soapbox:

No, your veterinarian isn’t “paid by vaccine companies” to say that.  I’ve seen rabies, it’s ugly, scary and tragic.  I have personally been exposed to rabies – it’s a sucky, crazy expensive trip to the ER involving LOTS of post-exposure shots.  If you have only $1 to spend on veterinary care, I beg you, put it towards rabies vaccination.

The Bare Minimum: Core Vaccines for Livestock Guardian Dogs

Beyond rabies, there are a few key vaccines every outdoor or farm dog should have. These aren’t luxury add-ons—they’re core protection against real threats your dog is likely to encounter on a farm.

1. Rabies

As above—this one isn’t optional. It’s required by law in most states.  And even if it weren’t mandated…do it anyways.  Rabies kills! No exceptions!

2. Distemper

A contagious and serious disease that attacks a dog’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. Farm dogs can be exposed through wildlife, shared water sources, or airborne transmission.

3. Parvovirus

Parvo lives in the soil and can survive for months. It causes severe vomiting and diarrhea and is especially deadly in young or unvaccinated dogs.  Don’t lose your puppy to parvo, get them vaccinated.

4. Adenovirus (Hepatitis)

This virus affects the liver and can be spread through urine, saliva, and feces. It’s included in the common “DA2PP” combo vaccine.

Optional but Worth Discussing:

– Leptospirosis: Spread by wildlife and contaminated water. Zoonotic and serious.
– Bordetella: Recommended if your dog is around other dogs, such as at events, boarding, or grooming.
– Lyme Disease: If you live in a high-tick area.

What About Vaccine Titers?

Some pet owners point to vaccine titer results as proof their dog doesn’t need a booster.  While I am all for minimizing reliance on pharmaceuticals, this argument is misguided. 

A titer shows where your dog’s immunity was — not where it is now.

Dr. Jenna

A vaccine titer is a blood test that measures how many antibodies against a specific disease your pet currently has.  It shows that at some point the dog was vaccinated (or exposed) and proves that they mounted an immune response.  

What it does not prove is that the dog is currently protected at a level that will prevent illness.   Immune responses vary between animals, and antibody levels wane over time.

For most canine diseases, there is no universally accepted “protective” cutoff value.  Titers are not qualitative pass/fail tests.  A “high” vaccine titer is not a shield — it’s just a snapshot of past exposure, not proof your dog is protected today.  What does protect your dog is following recommended booster schedules, to ensure antibody levels haven’t depleted below protective levels.  

Sidenote: The one major exception is rabies, where a titer of ≥0.5 IU/mL is widely recognized as protective.  The only reason we know this is because rabies is zoonotic and a major human health risk …ergo, a lot of time, money and research has been poured into rabies titer research.  Comparable thresholds simply haven’t been established for distemper, parvovirus, or other canine vaccines because they don’t pose the same public health risk.

Does this mean I should skip rabies boosters? No! Of all canine diseases, this is the worst, and the one absolutely guaranteed to kill your dog…and guaranteed to kill you if you’re exposed. Keep your pet’s antibody levels high, keep on schedule with your pet’s rabies boosters.

Bottom line: vaccination schedules are based on decades of controlled research proving their effectiveness. A titer can be a useful piece of information, but without validated protective thresholds for most diseases, it shouldn’t replace recommended boosters.

Your Farm Dog Isn’t Just a Worker—They’re Family

Your livestock guardian dog does more than scare off coyotes and unwanted visitors.  They are a trusted teammate.  A friend to your children.  A calming presence in the barn.  Losing a dog to something preventable—like parvo or rabies—is tragic and frustrating.  Especially when the solution costs less than a tank of gas. 

How much do you have invested in your pedigree flock or seedstock herd?  I guarantee more than the cost of your dog’s annual boosters.  The financial toll of an exposed child or livestock is even bigger—emergency vet visits, quarantine protocols, and public health interventions aren’t cheap. 

The emotional toll of losing a dog you rely on (and love!) is substantial.  Old Yeller still makes me cry and I pray nobody today faces that kind of goodbye with their dog.

The Cost of Prevention Is Always Less Than the Cost of Disease

Vaccines are quick, affordable, and incredibly effective. You don’t need to overdo it—but the core vaccines should be non-negotiable. Talk to your vet about a vaccination schedule that matches your farm’s risks and your dog’s role.

A little prevention now protects your animals, your family, and your peace of mind.

Take-Home Message

Farm dogs are tough—but they’re not invincible. Vaccines are a simple way to honor the hard work your dog does every day to keep your flock, family, and homestead safe.

Rabies is fatal. Parvo is brutal. Distemper is devastating. Vaccines prevent them all.

Still Have Questions?

Reach out with your questions or concerns about vaccine schedules for livestock guardian dogs.  I’m always happy to help farmers protect their animals—and their families—with practical, real-world advice.