The invention concerns the use of a CHV antigen for preparing a vaccine against canine herpesvirus infection, to be administered to the pregnant bitch as close as possible to birth, preferably during the last third of pregnancy, and producing a high anti-CHV antibody rate in the pregnant bitch at the time of birth, inducing protection in the pups by antibody transfer during suckling. The invention also concerns an inactivated anti-CHV or subunit vaccine, useful for vaccinating pregnant females to protect pups by antibody transfer.
