Hips and exercises during puppyhood. - Page 1

Are there any studies on hip condition at two years of age related to exercises during puppyhood.

I'd like to know the details on the type of exercises, the intensity, and the age of the pup.

Some experienced people told me to do no more than walking (the person walking fast) until OFA test at two years of age; is this too cautious?

Exercise is actually great for growing dogs as it builts muscles, but restricted diet is just as important.
Problems arise if the dog is growing too fast, is too fat and/or has undeveloped muscle mass (due to lack of exercise and overweight). Remember the AD (Ausdauerpruefung (20 km beside bicycle) by the SV has a minimum age of 18 months, OFA xrays are recommended at 24 months. Breeding a medium sized dog as opposed to oversized individuals is important as well.

http://bakerinstitute.vet.cornell.edu/animalhealth/page.php?id=1104
http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/chd2.html 

HighDesertGSD, I don't think that there is one done yet. However, OFA usually specifies that the hips or elbows didn't pass due to the previous injury (if there was one).
 
I've seen a navy guy on a bike with a 14 week old German showline puppy hopping next to him just few days ago - is that kind of over exercising are you talking about? I've seen the same puppy in the dog park being rolled over and beat up by bigger dogs, some hitting him at full speed in his back end. Will that result in the injury of hips - most definitely. The guy doesn't think he's doing something wrong, he wants his pup to be at best physical condition possible...
 
My rule of thumb is - let them play as puppies do and be who they are, take them for walks, play the ball for few minutes. Supervise while playing with fully grown dogs, as pups will want to keep up and they end up being hurt.
 
Some puppies are naturally more agile than others, you can see that almost immediately. Some don't loose their puppyhood clumsiness till they are over a year old.
 
My girl, as well as few of her daughters, was a little bouncy thing, doing all sorts of stunts on her own. I couldn't believe that none of them injured themselves doing that. At the same time, my big bone boy, as clumsy puppy as it gets never jumped and I didn't make him. When he reached his first birthday - he decided that he's got full control over his back end and now he jumps up, 'all four up' (from a stand still), all the way up to be eye to eye with me. Also runs and leaps after a Frisbee with a power of a freight train. My puppy decided on his own when it was time to do some more hard core exercise...
 

My consideration is putting a pup in regular exercise routine as adults.

My routine for adults is generally about 3.4 miles (two laps) of fast trotting in 25 minutes every 72 hours. (two days of rest in between)

I ride on my bike; the dog trots.

For my last pup, after about 10 months old, I did about 1.7 miles (one lap)  every 48 hours. Slower, in about 15 minutes for 1.7 miles.  Before 10 months old I just walked her. I got a 'Good' rating eventually. After OFA I put her on routine for adult.

Her 7.5 years old mom is still on adult routine.

  

I was running my pup 4 miles when he was 6 mos. I cut back on the running and now swim him in my pool. As for humans, swimming is much easier on the joints and a superior way to condition a growing dog safely. My now 8 mos old still loves to run, chase and jump and I let him because it's natural. I do try to limit the running to the grass though. Seems to me moderate activity within the pup's ability is the goal. Doubtful there is a scientific formula for what is too much. No activity is a bad idea, just as feeding a poor diet or allowing the dog to get fat.

I very much agree GK1!
Swimming is a great exercise.
Everything else very much depends on many different factors (as previously stated: age, weight, overall condition, daily condition, time of feeding, amount of feeding, weather, exercise grounds etc) and a strategic routine is only good for humans, not for animals.
I guess it would help you plan your day..

Kind of related, but how long of a walk would you give a very young puppy? I know most of their exercise is play time, but I do like to take my new pup for a short walk to get her out and about but I don't want to overdo it.

BTW, it is my belief that those who say that the GSD needs 1 hour of exercise each day are not exercising their dogs with enough intensity.

Snail pace like you walking at moderate rate of 3 mph is really very inefficient exercise. If you do so I suppose one hour each day is needed.

I am convienced that the owner riding on a bike is the most efficient way, unless the dog is specifically trained in some intense exercise, like herding.

I do few other exercise with my GSD's. I really exercise them only for 25 minutes every 72 hours, at about 9 mph. Average fast trotting for about 8 miles a week

That's all the deliberate exercises, besides playing with each other in the yard.

I think this is enough for them to be healthy.

Is it a "guy thing" or what?
You need to have a "feeling" for how much your puppy can take and how much is too exhausting!
On a hot day, my pup only enjoys walking and exploring the environment for maybe 20 minutes.
In the summer rain, we walk for 20-40 minutes.
There is no mathematic rule that works for all puppies...