Vaccinations For Dogs, Any new information out there? Options

[My Buddy]

Hi to Anyone......We are now considering adopting a new dog for the family...I have been reading several forums on problems with vaccinating cats which is very frightening, what is the scoop on dog vaccinations and which ones are absolutely needed? I know my pal, Hrudey boy did contract Parvo, at about 5 months of age, even with a vaccination and luckily survived, the first of many close calls...but we lived in a big city, with many dogs that were unvaccinated and I was told we shouldn't let our new puppy out of the yard, even with a vaccine. One doesn't want to be irresponsible either. Any thoughts or new information out there that I should be aware of?
Thanks for any input

Tory, Hrudey and Frank's Momma

[Leighann]

Some vet clinics do a simple blood test to determine how much vaccine is left in the blood, so you can determine if you need to vaccinate that year. I don't vaccinate my cats as they have been vaccinated previously, and are indoors except for going in my back yard supervised. If I was to vaccinate, I would do the blood testing, and only inject the 'necessary' ones.

[My Buddy]

Thanks Leighann, that sounds like a great idea, I like blood test idea, I do remember as Hrudey got into his senior years continuing the vaccines were not recommended even by the vet, at least that's good, but you do wonder, I will do some more research on the subject...thanks for your input. Tory