This is an emotive subject, but one I have made different choices on over the years, for different reasons, and I think that's key to the issue. It depends on the circumstances, ask yourself the questions:
a) Do I live in an area where there are loads of pet/stray dogs/foxes, or am I going to show my dog. (Increased risk of contact with disease)
b) Did I get my dog from an area where Parvo/Distemper are very
unlikely to have occurred? (I got a hound from a rural Highland area -
it took 4 vacs and the added cost of titre testing 4 times to get her titre up to an acceptable level to show her!)
c) Is there a large rat population in your area? (
Having lost a dog to Lepto I would not advise anyone not to get this cover, at least when there is an upsurge in rat population, a truly horrible death!)
d) If the answer to all above is no, can homeopathic remedies give good enough immunity for the years following initial vaccination? (Pet cocker initially vaccinated and given 1st booster, homeopathic remedies given from age 3 - 9 vaccination re-started age 10 as residual immunity waned)
then there's the fly in the ointment - the external influences on your decision.....
e) Do the boarding kennels I use accept titre testing? (Most only accept valid vaccination certs)
f) Some vets insist on annual boosters and will not accept your dog as a patient unless you agree.
Sorry if I've added to the confusion in this debate ................ but it's better to be aware!