Health

Medications, Vaccinations & Supplements

Our Holistic Approach to Puppy Health

At Classic Heritage, we prioritize the long-term health and well-being of every puppy we raise. Our protocol is based on a holistic, minimal-vaccine approach, using only what is necessary at the appropriate time—and always under veterinary supervision.

🩺 What Your Puppy Comes Home With

Each puppy goes home with:

Deworming completed
First core vaccinations started at 8-weeks, administered by our trusted vet at Willow Creek Vet Clinic in Folsom:
- 1-DAPPv (Distemper, Adenovirus, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza)
- Leptospirosis (only if appropriate for age and weight)
Heart-worm Prevention: Puppies 16 weeks and older receive their first dose of Heartgard Plus (unless otherwise requested)
Vet records and health documentation for your veterinarian

Your personal vet will guide your puppy’s next steps, but please know: we do not follow a one-size-fits-all protocol. We intentionally delay or space out vaccines to protect developing immune systems and avoid over-vaccination.

Puppies in Training Beyond 10 Weeks

Puppies who stay in our Crown Reserve training programs beyond 10 weeks will receive:

12-week booster vaccines
16-week final core vaccines
Rabies vaccine (as required by law)

All vaccinations are timed carefully with a focus on minimizing unnecessary exposure while still meeting state and health requirements.

🚫 Important: Avoid "All-In-One" Medications

We do not recommend any product that combines multiple preventatives into a single dose (often marketed as “all-in-one” solutions).

Products like Trifexis, Revolution, and others that combine heartworm, flea/tick, and parasite control in a single pill or topical are known to cause adverse reactions in puppies, especially under 12 months of age. Use of these products will void our health guarantee.

Instead, we recommend separating treatments and choosing gentle, proven options that support your puppy’s immune system and long-term health.

🐶 Recommended Flea, Tick & Heartworm Products

If you live in an area where fleas or ticks are a concern, here are our top recommendations:

Nexgard – oral chew available through your vet, effective and easy to administer
Capstar – a one-time fast-acting flea treatment that starts working within 30 minutes

For heart-worm prevention, we suggest:

Heartgard Plus – a tasty, chewable option our dogs love
Nuheart – a generic, non-chewable version that can be hidden in food

🌿 Diet & Supplement Support

We support and recommend a raw, species-appropriate diet as the gold standard for canine health. If you choose to feed kibble or any non-raw diet, we strongly encourage adding high-quality supplements to support:

Gut health & digestion
Joint and bone development
Immune system function

With a complete, balanced raw diet, most supplements become unnecessary, as the body receives what it needs through whole food nutrition.