I have a dog that is due for his booster and am planning to add a new puppy to the family in early January--he will be about fifteen weeks old but has not started his vaccinations yet. Should I get the older dog vaccinated now, before the little one comes? Will other dogs be able to bisit us while the little one is going through his series of vaccinations, or is the house out of bounds to all until he's finished? Thanks in anticipation of your advice!

Which booster/s does your dog need this time? Just the lepto, or the whole lot? Personally if the boosters are due then I'd get them done before the puppy arrives. Other dogs can visit your new puppy as long as they themselves are fully boostered and healthy.

Thanks very much for your reply--I'd assumed it was the whole lot since he's just turned a year, is this right?

Yes, the first annual booster is the whole lot (see this schedule).

Thanks for this Jeangenie, will make arrangements for both of them as needed!

why not arrange for him to have his Vaccs before he arrives?  that way he'll be able to socialise earlier?

On the one occasion I kept a pup to honour a holiday, I vaccinated and he walked out on a lead, his socialisation was well advanced too :-D

Yes, I thought that, but the time of year is a pain--I only saw him and the breeder three days ago, and we are straight into Christmas/New Year so I'm guessing not easy to get an appointment with the vet, and I am picking him up 3rd or 4th Jan...so easier for me to do it now I guess

If he'll be 15 weeks old then, he must be old enough to have had his Vaccs by now?  why didn't the breeder do it?  they'd have to socialise him anyway if he hadn't sold ;)  By 15 weeks he should be used to going outside :(   

I would be a bit worried that he may have been exposed to disease now if there are adult dogs in the house coming and going quite apart from going out.  Maternal anitibodies drop off fast and insurance does not generally cover anything that a puppy arrived incubating. 
Probably best to ensure that the breeder was taking responsibility in that event in a written contract that covered health guarantees in the immediate future.
I would say this is unusual and most breeders would have vaccinated any puppies still with them at this time.

Jay15,, have you actually spoken to the breeder about vaccinations, you didnt say in your OP (unless I missed it).. or are you just assuming that they havent been done... it quite normal for responsible breeders to vaccinate any pups that are left/usnpoken/staying longer than the usual 8weeks...

I still have 4 pups here now 11 weeks (all sold).. one I am keeping.. one going tomorrow.. one on the 28th and another going on 3rd Jan.. all these pups are now fully vaccinated, and the ones going to new homes will be able to go outside and mix with others immediately... plus all have had some socialisation..

I know many people assume that getting a new puppy means starting from scratch.. but with an older pup, (over 12weeks).. I would be expecting full vaccinations done.

Check with your breeder..

Plus.. I agree.. get you resident dog boostered now.. before pup arrives..

I did check--and the pups haven't been vaccinated, which surprised me. I'm taking our boy tomorrow, some Christmas present for him!

The pups have been outside but only on the breeder's property, which is isolated, and the only other dogs around are theirs. He's been regularly wormed, and has been chipped/docked as a working dog, but that's it. This pup has not yet had a lead and collar on, either.

I would have the boosters done on your current dog, regardless of new puppy or not.  As for other dogs to visit your new puppy...I would wait until the puppy has received the full series of booster vaccines.  One thing to keep in mind, although visiting dogs may be vaccinated, the can still carry such viruses into your house or other areas just on their feet alone.  The other warning I like to send out to new puppy owners is NO PETSMART visits until they are fully vaccinated.  One virus you have to be aware of is the Kennel Cough, or Bordetella virus.  Dogs can shed this virus even though they are showing no outward signs of the virus.  And most dogs are not vaccinated against this virus unless they are being boarded.  Bordetella can easily lead to pneumonia in younger puppies if untreated!  I know you will want to show off your new puppy, but it is best just to wait it out until your little baby is fully vaccinated!!  Good luck with the new puppy!!

thanks so much for this--our boy was vaccinated 24/12, and I'm in the process of fencing off the garden so the new guy can run about with ours without any other dogs coming by for his first month.