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Originally Posted by Susan123  I don't let mine outside in the grass until they've had their shots. She's probably just properly protected. |
The parvo virus is shed in the feces of infected dogs so puppies should never be taken outside until they have finished their complete round of shots plus two weeks for full immunity. The maternal antibodies they get from nursing stay in their body for weeks after weaning and interfere with the first vaccinations.
A study of a cross section of different puppies showed that the age at which they were able to respond to a vaccine and develop protection (become immunized) covered a wide period of time. At six weeks of age, 25% of the puppies could be immunized. At 9 weeks, 40% of the puppies were able to respond to the vaccine and were protected. The number increased to 60% by 16 weeks, and by 18 weeks, 95% of the puppies could be immunized.
Maternal Immunity: Passive Disease Protection from the Mother in Dogs
I'm sure your breeder was just trying to protect the health of her puppies.