This older thread has some suggestions:

http://www.germanshepherds.com/foru...erds.com/forum/development-socialization/276994-advice-hiking-7mo-old-male.html

And this article:

What age a puppy can hike?

 

I waited until my pup was 18 months for strenuous hikes and glad I did. Seen other mountain dogs have gimpy lives from strenuous hiking too soon under 1 year old.

 

Could I start when they are atleast 1 yrs old or should i wait until they are a year and a half?. And have you taken your dogs on backpacking?

 

My plan for hiking is to take Deja along and leave pup at home at least for the first year. I just don't want to take the risk. I know they are no longer wolves but young wolves spend most of their first year playing around the den. There must be a reason for this.

 

I'd probably not do that hike with a puppy that age. The climb up is fine; it's the climb down that seems too extreme on the joints.