@ violet_in_seville: No, I checked up their profile on breed pages and such. It was recommended for the highly athletic and potentially very destructive if bored so no. I also don't like the way it looks.
Just to make things clear for everyone. I am also from the Philippines. Dogs are usually put in an AC room especially during the night. Akita owners (AAs and JAs) that I know also do the same (i am also a member of the Phil. Akita Club). Every morning we walk the dogs, let them play around and in their resting area, we make sure that they are comfortable so we put fans for them. We also include ice for their water bowls. If the heat is extreme, we put them in an AC room.
I've also met some Shiba owners here and they would also do the same.
I don't live in the Philippines...but I live in Florida....1 kishu, 1 shikoku, 3 Dutch Shepherds. It got to about 95 [ 35 celsius ] here maximum for the summer...but mostly high 80's low 90's. [ 30 - 33C ]
The heat, I think, is less of a problem...it is more so the extremely high HUMIDITY. 90 degrees in FL is a lot worse than 90 degrees in other areas with barely any humidity!!!
Irregardless, I think, To be quite honest, AC is just a non-negotiable when you're talking about any "northern" breed of dog.
As humans, we can adapt ok. But put on a fur-coat like our dogs, let alone a double or triple coat, and see how long you last then. During the summer, my dogs are inside the house, in the AC, 99% of the time. That remaining 1% is reserved for walks and outdoor stuff at around 3-4am when it's the coolest / least humid.
I have also personally noted, the bigger the dog, the more they suffer in high heat / high humidity....Ironically, my 2 japanese breeds [ around 30lbs each ] do pretty well in the high heat / humidity vs my short-coated 75lbs Dutch Shepherd who just wants to dies from it.
I don't think we should limit our choice of breeds by region, otherwise, I woudn't be able to own any of my pups. BUT, I do think it is our RESPONSIBILITY to make sure the dogs we take in, when brought into an environment less then comfortable for them, are 100% taken care of....my .02 cents. ~
Okay. Contacted the Philippine Akita Club. Here's the message regarding AC: Akitas can adapt in any climate. AC is better but unecessarily a requirement as electric fans will do.
A dog's main cooling function is their respiratory system, not their sweat glands (though they do "sweat" from their nose and paws as well, though it doesn't really have too much to do with cooling--they DO actually have sweat glands on their body, but those are for a different purpose).
A dog having a double coat is not exactly like a human wearing a winter coat in the summer. Their coat doesn't necessarily impair their cooling function like wearing layers would for a human because our cooling systems are not the same.
@Titus, you asked people on this board for their opinion and received it. You don't like the response you got, so you go and ask another "authority" to justify your decision?
@poeticdragon: Well, no. That's what I want to do the meets first but just putting it out there. I only received the reply today. Even if they did say the dog can adjust and I personally find it takes too much effort to maintain an Akita I'm not getting one.
I love my dog. He is an important part of my life but I don't want the next 10-12 years to revolve mainly around my dog and his needs.
@Crispy - From what I understand, the way a dogs coat works to "cool" themselves is trap cold air. So, a dog going from inside [ with ac ] to hot outside will retain some cool air...a dog going from hot [ inside ] to hot [ outside ] will just have the effects of extra fur, and being hot, to put it simply. If a dog is sitting inside a hot space, having never had access to cool air, that fur coat that insulates becomes a hindrance...
I know panting is their main way of cooling down, but I was trying more to show that dogs and humans are more different when it comes to adaptability to extreme heat. Someone mentioned humans do just fine, my response was to that.
I love my dog. He is an important part of my life but I don't want the next 10-12 years to revolve mainly around my dog and his needs.
My personal opinion on this is to not get a dog, then. Because by getting a dog, you are becoming his guardian. You are going to be the provider of everything for this dog (food, shelter, water, medical care, entertainment, friendship, etc.) and your life WILL revolve mainly around him and his needs.
If you think otherwise, then you are sadly mistaken and the dog that you take into your care will suffer. Just about every decision that you make will need to take into account your dog: where to live, how late to stay out with your friends, to go on holiday, which comforter to get for your bed, which laundry detergent to buy, etc.
You've got it all figured out...Go get a JA It's only the Philippines, you don't need A/C - just keep your Akita ken indoors in a small condo with a whole bunch of fans on. Also, if you shave off all it's fur, they'll be nice and cool and at the same time, you won't have a shedding problem! No fur stuck to your socks! :-bd
(a) When you have an object that is a different temperature than its environment, the temperatures will average out over time. If the object and its environment are similar in size, both temperatures will be affected. On the other hand, if the environment is significantly larger than the object, the object's temperature will change but have no noticeable impact on the environment temperature. (Compare putting ice cubes in a cup of water vs a bathtub of water.)
(b) The greater the difference in temperature, the faster the temperature of the cooler object will rise. (Compare melting ice cubes in 40° water vs 200° water.)
(c) Energy is necessary to raise or lower an object's temperature and heat has much more energy than cold. It is easier and faster to warm something than cool it by the same degree. (Compare the time it takes to melt ice cubes with the time it takes to freeze water into ice cubes.)
(d) Insulation slows down the exchange of heat between an object and its environment. It keeps the object at its original temperature longer, whether that object is colder or hotter than its environment. (Compare a styrofoam cup used to keep coke cold or coffee hot with a cheap plastic cup.)
So with all this in mind...
(a) A dog will not have an impact on the outside temperature, but over time the outside temperature will have significant impact on the dog's temperature. Being warm blooded, the dog's body can regulate its temperature so it doesn't easily rise or fall to fatal degree. In extreme environments or prolonged exposure, however, this self-regulation is not enough.
(b) The hotter it is outside compared to the dog's body temperature, the faster the dog will heat up. A dog taken outside with a low body temperature will be able to withstand the heat for a longer period of time than one that is already hot when it goes outside.
(c) A dog will heat up quicker than it cools down. A dog can spend more time outside in the extreme cold than it can in the extreme heat.
(d) Double coats are insulating and slow down the entire process. They help keep a dog warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. However, because heat exchange is faster in warm environments (c), the insulation is not as effective as it is in cold environments.
On top of all this, one must consider how a dog's coat works as an insulator. Restricted airflow caused by mats or moisture reduces the effectiveness of the insulation. Depending on the severity of the mats or the humidity of the environment, it can even "reverse" the insulating effect -- preventing an overheated dog from cooling down or a frozen dog from warming up.
As others have said, the humidity of a tropical environment is a much greater issue here than the temperature itself. It has the potential to mitigate your dog's insulation entirely, and without that insulation to slow down the process, the dog will not be able to spend much time outdoors at all.
Additionally, if the dog is in a warm environment in the house it will also have significantly reduced time it can spend outside. The cooler you keep its living environment, the longer it will be able to spend outside.
My personal opinion on this is to not get a dog, then. Because by getting a dog, you are becoming his guardian. You are going to be the provider of everything for this dog (food, shelter, water, medical care, entertainment, friendship, etc.) and your life WILL revolve mainly around him and his needs.
Yeah, I'm well aware of that. I'm just saying that if there's too much work involved in trying to get a cold weather dog suited here (with him and me both being less than happy) then it's a no-go. I just don't want his maintenance to be the only thing to consider in my life.
@MapleTwinkie: You're just very rude from the get go by implying I'm a "cruel" and "unfair" person for wanting such a beautiful dog. Now, I can't stop you but yeah, it's really not helping anymore that you're posting so I'm gonna hop right back to ignoring you.
@sunyata - maybe this is the issue with transitioning from having a family dog to being an adult who owns their own dog. I know that when I had a family dog, while I took on a lot of the responsibility, my decisions did not revolve around my dogs the way they do now, because the burdens of that responsibility could be shared between family members. This was especially the case when it came to socializing and traveling.
Making a decision to choose a neighborhood that is very dog friendly, where I could run nearly all my errands (save grocery shopping) with dogs was a decision made as an adult. Curtailing many of my social activities to the types of activities that were dog friendly was also a decision made as an adult.
@titus - you really have been unclear as to what you think is too much work. Do you think getting an air conditioner is too much work? Do you think daily vacuuming and sweeping (usually multiple times a day) is too much work? Because those two things above are necessities with Northern breeds. You can ask around all you like, but they are basically part of the breed traits, and in fact these things are even more important with northern breeds on the larger side. @cren29 is also a member of the Philippines Akita Club and has been explicit that there is access to air conditioning for dogs even if it is not always used. There's also been explanations of the science behind this.
I'm really not sure what you think is too much work for you to enjoy your life with your dog. To me at least, the things mentioned above (air conditioning, vacuuming) are pretty negligible and I wouldn't consider them to be a great burden nor will they alter my lifestyle significantly. I say this as someone who goes out a lot (and yes, the dogs come with me to wine tastings, bookstores, the bar, restaurants, parties, etc.) and who like you has an aversion to air conditioning. Even if I personally wasn't comfortable I used air conditioning for the dogs and I eat the added expense and wear an extra layer of clothing. If you really understand the extent of the responsibilities, burdens, and restrictions that come with owning a dog as an independent adult, I don't see why this is such a sticking point with you. The time you will need to spend properly socializing and training a puppy already consumes exponentially more resources (in terms of time, money, patience, etc.).
[edited to add]
My tone is not meant to be accusatory btw. It's just that your idea of how much work a dog should be, and what you're looking for in your ideal dog, comes across as nebulous to me. Most of the people who have posted on this thread own multiple dogs and are well acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of northern breeds. Your indecisiveness in the face of the realities of owning a northern breed is a little confusing (at least for me). It would help if you could clearly lay out what your expectations and reasons are.
@violet_in_seville: No, I'm not being indecisive. I'm weighing pros and cons and will even visit people who already own similar breeds if not AAs or JAs. My post asked clearly what to do with Northern breeds in the tropics because I've been told they are adaptable without AC.
I've handled my lab for 8 years now - could barely feel I'm even taking care of him since it's been working like clockwork for so many years now. The shedding is an old issue, but I can deal with that. I don't take him to wine tastings and such though. Most places really don't let pets in although I compensate by bringing him to the park or taking him to meet dogs and other family pets of friends.
Yes, the AC to me seems indulgent. And the way Akitas are being described as heavy shedding rugs in the tropics is a lot like a person in a recovery ward - at least it hits my ear that way.
I have mentioned that I have no problem crossing this breed off my list, but there has been way too much emotion on this board honestly and I'm not necessarily referring to you. It's just getting out of hand that I first asked about how they fare in the tropics and I'm getting told about the kind of breeder. On top of that I was hoping to get a response from people who actually live in similar climates and how they deal with their own dogs ergo why I addressed that in the title. I'm looking for solutions to a problem TBH not more problems being pointed out - i.e. installing exhaust fans, putting ice cubes in their water bowls and other simple things.
I'm really grateful for the people who posted to help out but right now, the way the posts are, they are defeating the purpose of being helpful.
@titus - I did have had the luxury of growing up in NYC and living in bigger cities so it was an option for us. Was just using it as an example of the choices one makes.
Anyway, did you check out the thread on Japanese air conditioners I posted earlier? Like I said, the way they seem to work seems to address your issues, and they seem non-intrusive and have a just ventilation setting. I would also, regardless of what breed you get, make sure that you always keep some unflavored pedialyte (or some other electrolyte solution) on hand as a preventative/quick fix for dehydration. Easiest thing to do would be to freeze ice cubes of that and use a few of those, and just label a bag in your freezer with the pedialyte ice cubes.
Have you checked out any threads aside from yours? Rightly or wrongly, threads on this forum do digress sometimes and especially so if there is anything at stake about which people feel passionate. There are some heated discussions (though I wouldn't consider this one) and overall a lot of emotion on this forum. If you dislike that, it may not be the best resource for you. While it's good to try to bring things back on track, since there only seems to be one other person in the Philippines, it would be much more useful to you to do a search on previous threads about how people cool down their dogs and bump one of those.
@curlytails is currently living in a similar (subtropical) environment and you should have read her feedback earlier in the thread.
The "emotion" you see in this thread, @Titus, is reflective of the collective passion for the forum's chosen breeds. The fact that you don't want to acknowledge more "problems" when they are essential considerations for being a responsible pet guardian is what frustrates some of us who are trying to give you feedback. Conversations go both ways, after all.
I'm sorry I haven't been able to offer the more practical advice you've been seeking on owning a large fluffy dog in a hot+humid urban environment, because I don't have that experience. Frankly, I would not be seeking one while in my current apartment-bound situation, here in Taipei. If i was living outside of the city, or if a mellow adult came up for adoption, I would consider it. But I would think very honestly about what kind of life I can give him, including things like diet, exercise levels, space to sleep and stay cool, etc.
I did live here with Bowdu, a Shiba, for the first year and a half of his life before we all moved to Northern California. A lot of things about raising a pet here were tricky, and unanticipated in my naivete. Bowdu was a hellion of a puppy, often acting out due to inadequate exercise and training. The Shiba 500s in the apartment were frequent -- but you can't really compare a hyper 20-pound pup streaking around the apartment vs. Akita laps. We had a window box air conditioner in only one room, which we kept on at night and during the hottest times of the day if anyone was home. Bowdu slept in the bedroom with the humans, and he clearly loved that room more than others in the apartment. He would linger there even when the AC wasn't on, as if hoping the box would magically start up on its own. However, the electricity bills were *significantly* higher in summer months when we cranked that AC. He got a fan, a large bowl brimming with water, and free rein to laze about on the cooling tiles in the apartment when nobody else was home. (That free rein got him into trouble a few times... but that was our decision, not his boredpuppy fault.) He also had an indoor potty station, which he needed since he *was* drinking a lot of water and we weren't taking him out in the daytime heat. No AC for large parts of the day was fine for Bowdu, though I think this has much to do with @Sangmort's point about smaller dogs being more efficient at staying cool.
He came from an inadequately socialized background and he never truly got used to all the noise and city traffic. Walking him on rainy days (a year round thing) and especially typhoon days sucked. It was difficult to keep his kibble fresh in this humidity, so we didn't buy the large, more economical bags. He ate crappy Science Diet because that's all we knew and that was the "best" that was available back then. A good diet (not just supplements) is closely related to healthy coat and skin, and not something I take lightly anymore after learning to control Bowdu's dermal flareups. I'd just feed all raw instead, if I could do it again, but that takes time and research to ensure adequate nutrition.
As a young dog in Taiwan, he never grew the thick Shiba coat that came in after he was about two years old; by then, he was living in NorCal. So that's another thing -- you'll want to look to fully grown adults to get a sense of how much fur is possible in your climate.
I keep telling myself I'll stop posting, because I'm not sure if you're ignoring me too, but I guess I do have a lot to say on the t(r)opic. Anyway, I'm here through December on an extended research trip while the dogs are back in the U.S., but these are some of the things I've been investigating for both personal and academic reasons. Personally, I would embrace the opportunity to come live here again, and dogs would be an essential part of that life. Academically, I'm in the process of researching the native Taiwan dogs, whose history is related to social conditions, which is also shaped by geography and of course, climate. It's all tied together, and to us humans, in rather complex ways.
I lived in Louisiana for 20years of my life not sure how LA humidity compares to Philippines, but it can get bad sometimes almost feels like I couldn't breath during the harsher times..
My mom had coworker when we lived in Louisiana who lived in Philippines I never crossed my mind to ask how the heat and humidity compare to here. ah well.
Our two boxers and catahoula mix stayed inside in ac all day and took walks in early morning late evening. During cooler times we took walks more often. they hanged in the yard while we were outside, but if we were inside they wanted inside too.
We have ac so they stayed cool on tile and ac..
I seen husky and chow chow in neighborhood.. The husky seemed under exercised and not very socialized. Chow chow the same never got walks and was mean.
It's up to you, but akita AA or JA shed a lot. Shiba inu sheds a lot and their small dog!
I make do myself with frequent vacuuming and sweeping.
I currently live in Indiana it gets hot in summer, but also has seasons.. Fall weather cold winter. Saya is happiest in cold.
Saya has only gone down to Louisiana with me when it was cooler and low humidity. We'll see next time maybe it'll be higher humidity.. So can't comment on how she does in that type of humidity.
Saya tolerates summers well she mainly stays indoor and goes on walks in grass field I don't walk the dogs on cement or asphalt during hot days dangerous for feet..
I think if anyone wants an akita, shiba, or any fluffy dog should be worrying about how much fur they shed.. They have lots of fur and it does come off eventually. No amount of fish oil, premium fresh food.
I never owned lab before, but met multiple ones and man after they go for a swim and come out the fur on them sticks to your hands when petting them! lol
For whole week we were without power after Katrina and shape the two boxers and catahoula mix was sad. Despite the stock pile of clean water, dog food, caned food they lost a lot of weight and looked crappy.
Coarse it could just been stress of the whole ordeal. Luckily where we lived we only got minor roof damage, window, and blown down fence. Not sure if water came to garage or house like it has before.
Once moved to Indiana they got better.
I hope you find more akita owners in your area.
I always sugest meeting the breed before deciding. Even meeting an AA might offer some insight despite it not being a JA. Not sure how much difference temperament is, but still you'd see how active the dog is in the heat and humidity.
Comments
@tjbart17: Yeah, no worries!
I've also met some Shiba owners here and they would also do the same.
I have a Shiba and a Shikoku.
Thanks.
The heat, I think, is less of a problem...it is more so the extremely high HUMIDITY. 90 degrees in FL is a lot worse than 90 degrees in other areas with barely any humidity!!!
Irregardless, I think, To be quite honest, AC is just a non-negotiable when you're talking about any "northern" breed of dog.
As humans, we can adapt ok. But put on a fur-coat like our dogs, let alone a double or triple coat, and see how long you last then. During the summer, my dogs are inside the house, in the AC, 99% of the time. That remaining 1% is reserved for walks and outdoor stuff at around 3-4am when it's the coolest / least humid.
I have also personally noted, the bigger the dog, the more they suffer in high heat / high humidity....Ironically, my 2 japanese breeds [ around 30lbs each ] do pretty well in the high heat / humidity vs my short-coated 75lbs Dutch Shepherd who just wants to dies from it.
I don't think we should limit our choice of breeds by region, otherwise, I woudn't be able to own any of my pups. BUT, I do think it is our RESPONSIBILITY to make sure the dogs we take in, when brought into an environment less then comfortable for them, are 100% taken care of....my .02 cents. ~
A dog having a double coat is not exactly like a human wearing a winter coat in the summer. Their coat doesn't necessarily impair their cooling function like wearing layers would for a human because our cooling systems are not the same.
http://www.bio.davidson.edu/Courses/anphys/2000/Hatfield/Hatfield.htm
http://www.neacha.org/resources/Short Technical Report.pdf
I love my dog. He is an important part of my life but I don't want the next 10-12 years to revolve mainly around my dog and his needs.
I know panting is their main way of cooling down, but I was trying more to show that dogs and humans are more different when it comes to adaptability to extreme heat. Someone mentioned humans do just fine, my response was to that.
~
If you think otherwise, then you are sadly mistaken and the dog that you take into your care will suffer. Just about every decision that you make will need to take into account your dog: where to live, how late to stay out with your friends, to go on holiday, which comforter to get for your bed, which laundry detergent to buy, etc.
You've got it all figured out...Go get a JA
It's only the Philippines, you don't need A/C - just keep your Akita ken indoors in a small condo with a whole bunch of fans on. Also, if you shave off all it's fur, they'll be nice and cool and at the same time, you won't have a shedding problem! No fur stuck to your socks! :-bd
(b) The greater the difference in temperature, the faster the temperature of the cooler object will rise. (Compare melting ice cubes in 40° water vs 200° water.)
(c) Energy is necessary to raise or lower an object's temperature and heat has much more energy than cold. It is easier and faster to warm something than cool it by the same degree. (Compare the time it takes to melt ice cubes with the time it takes to freeze water into ice cubes.)
(d) Insulation slows down the exchange of heat between an object and its environment. It keeps the object at its original temperature longer, whether that object is colder or hotter than its environment. (Compare a styrofoam cup used to keep coke cold or coffee hot with a cheap plastic cup.)
So with all this in mind...
(a) A dog will not have an impact on the outside temperature, but over time the outside temperature will have significant impact on the dog's temperature. Being warm blooded, the dog's body can regulate its temperature so it doesn't easily rise or fall to fatal degree. In extreme environments or prolonged exposure, however, this self-regulation is not enough.
(b) The hotter it is outside compared to the dog's body temperature, the faster the dog will heat up. A dog taken outside with a low body temperature will be able to withstand the heat for a longer period of time than one that is already hot when it goes outside.
(c) A dog will heat up quicker than it cools down. A dog can spend more time outside in the extreme cold than it can in the extreme heat.
(d) Double coats are insulating and slow down the entire process. They help keep a dog warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. However, because heat exchange is faster in warm environments (c), the insulation is not as effective as it is in cold environments.
On top of all this, one must consider how a dog's coat works as an insulator. Restricted airflow caused by mats or moisture reduces the effectiveness of the insulation. Depending on the severity of the mats or the humidity of the environment, it can even "reverse" the insulating effect -- preventing an overheated dog from cooling down or a frozen dog from warming up.
As others have said, the humidity of a tropical environment is a much greater issue here than the temperature itself. It has the potential to mitigate your dog's insulation entirely, and without that insulation to slow down the process, the dog will not be able to spend much time outdoors at all.
Additionally, if the dog is in a warm environment in the house it will also have significantly reduced time it can spend outside. The cooler you keep its living environment, the longer it will be able to spend outside.
@MapleTwinkie: You're just very rude from the get go by implying I'm a "cruel" and "unfair" person for wanting such a beautiful dog. Now, I can't stop you but yeah, it's really not helping anymore that you're posting so I'm gonna hop right back to ignoring you.
Making a decision to choose a neighborhood that is very dog friendly, where I could run nearly all my errands (save grocery shopping) with dogs was a decision made as an adult. Curtailing many of my social activities to the types of activities that were dog friendly was also a decision made as an adult.
@titus - you really have been unclear as to what you think is too much work. Do you think getting an air conditioner is too much work? Do you think daily vacuuming and sweeping (usually multiple times a day) is too much work? Because those two things above are necessities with Northern breeds. You can ask around all you like, but they are basically part of the breed traits, and in fact these things are even more important with northern breeds on the larger side. @cren29 is also a member of the Philippines Akita Club and has been explicit that there is access to air conditioning for dogs even if it is not always used. There's also been explanations of the science behind this.
I'm really not sure what you think is too much work for you to enjoy your life with your dog. To me at least, the things mentioned above (air conditioning, vacuuming) are pretty negligible and I wouldn't consider them to be a great burden nor will they alter my lifestyle significantly. I say this as someone who goes out a lot (and yes, the dogs come with me to wine tastings, bookstores, the bar, restaurants, parties, etc.) and who like you has an aversion to air conditioning. Even if I personally wasn't comfortable I used air conditioning for the dogs and I eat the added expense and wear an extra layer of clothing. If you really understand the extent of the responsibilities, burdens, and restrictions that come with owning a dog as an independent adult, I don't see why this is such a sticking point with you. The time you will need to spend properly socializing and training a puppy already consumes exponentially more resources (in terms of time, money, patience, etc.).
[edited to add]
My tone is not meant to be accusatory btw. It's just that your idea of how much work a dog should be, and what you're looking for in your ideal dog, comes across as nebulous to me. Most of the people who have posted on this thread own multiple dogs and are well acquainted with the advantages and disadvantages of northern breeds. Your indecisiveness in the face of the realities of owning a northern breed is a little confusing (at least for me). It would help if you could clearly lay out what your expectations and reasons are.
ETA: @cren29 - For clarity, I was actually responding to the OP in my first post, not anyone in particular lol
I've handled my lab for 8 years now - could barely feel I'm even taking care of him since it's been working like clockwork for so many years now. The shedding is an old issue, but I can deal with that. I don't take him to wine tastings and such though. Most places really don't let pets in although I compensate by bringing him to the park or taking him to meet dogs and other family pets of friends.
Yes, the AC to me seems indulgent. And the way Akitas are being described as heavy shedding rugs in the tropics is a lot like a person in a recovery ward - at least it hits my ear that way.
I have mentioned that I have no problem crossing this breed off my list, but there has been way too much emotion on this board honestly and I'm not necessarily referring to you. It's just getting out of hand that I first asked about how they fare in the tropics and I'm getting told about the kind of breeder. On top of that I was hoping to get a response from people who actually live in similar climates and how they deal with their own dogs ergo why I addressed that in the title. I'm looking for solutions to a problem TBH not more problems being pointed out - i.e. installing exhaust fans, putting ice cubes in their water bowls and other simple things.
I'm really grateful for the people who posted to help out but right now, the way the posts are, they are defeating the purpose of being helpful.
Anyway, did you check out the thread on Japanese air conditioners I posted earlier? Like I said, the way they seem to work seems to address your issues, and they seem non-intrusive and have a just ventilation setting. I would also, regardless of what breed you get, make sure that you always keep some unflavored pedialyte (or some other electrolyte solution) on hand as a preventative/quick fix for dehydration. Easiest thing to do would be to freeze ice cubes of that and use a few of those, and just label a bag in your freezer with the pedialyte ice cubes.
Have you checked out any threads aside from yours? Rightly or wrongly, threads on this forum do digress sometimes and especially so if there is anything at stake about which people feel passionate. There are some heated discussions (though I wouldn't consider this one) and overall a lot of emotion on this forum. If you dislike that, it may not be the best resource for you. While it's good to try to bring things back on track, since there only seems to be one other person in the Philippines, it would be much more useful to you to do a search on previous threads about how people cool down their dogs and bump one of those.
@curlytails is currently living in a similar (subtropical) environment and you should have read her feedback earlier in the thread.
I'm sorry I haven't been able to offer the more practical advice you've been seeking on owning a large fluffy dog in a hot+humid urban environment, because I don't have that experience. Frankly, I would not be seeking one while in my current apartment-bound situation, here in Taipei. If i was living outside of the city, or if a mellow adult came up for adoption, I would consider it. But I would think very honestly about what kind of life I can give him, including things like diet, exercise levels, space to sleep and stay cool, etc.
I did live here with Bowdu, a Shiba, for the first year and a half of his life before we all moved to Northern California. A lot of things about raising a pet here were tricky, and unanticipated in my naivete. Bowdu was a hellion of a puppy, often acting out due to inadequate exercise and training. The Shiba 500s in the apartment were frequent -- but you can't really compare a hyper 20-pound pup streaking around the apartment vs. Akita laps. We had a window box air conditioner in only one room, which we kept on at night and during the hottest times of the day if anyone was home. Bowdu slept in the bedroom with the humans, and he clearly loved that room more than others in the apartment. He would linger there even when the AC wasn't on, as if hoping the box would magically start up on its own. However, the electricity bills were *significantly* higher in summer months when we cranked that AC. He got a fan, a large bowl brimming with water, and free rein to laze about on the cooling tiles in the apartment when nobody else was home. (That free rein got him into trouble a few times... but that was our decision, not his boredpuppy fault.) He also had an indoor potty station, which he needed since he *was* drinking a lot of water and we weren't taking him out in the daytime heat. No AC for large parts of the day was fine for Bowdu, though I think this has much to do with @Sangmort's point about smaller dogs being more efficient at staying cool.
He came from an inadequately socialized background and he never truly got used to all the noise and city traffic. Walking him on rainy days (a year round thing) and especially typhoon days sucked. It was difficult to keep his kibble fresh in this humidity, so we didn't buy the large, more economical bags. He ate crappy Science Diet because that's all we knew and that was the "best" that was available back then. A good diet (not just supplements) is closely related to healthy coat and skin, and not something I take lightly anymore after learning to control Bowdu's dermal flareups. I'd just feed all raw instead, if I could do it again, but that takes time and research to ensure adequate nutrition.
As a young dog in Taiwan, he never grew the thick Shiba coat that came in after he was about two years old; by then, he was living in NorCal. So that's another thing -- you'll want to look to fully grown adults to get a sense of how much fur is possible in your climate.
I keep telling myself I'll stop posting, because I'm not sure if you're ignoring me too, but I guess I do have a lot to say on the t(r)opic.
My mom had coworker when we lived in Louisiana who lived in Philippines I never crossed my mind to ask how the heat and humidity compare to here. ah well.
Our two boxers and catahoula mix stayed inside in ac all day and took walks in early morning late evening. During cooler times we took walks more often. they hanged in the yard while we were outside, but if we were inside they wanted inside too.
We have ac so they stayed cool on tile and ac..
I seen husky and chow chow in neighborhood.. The husky seemed under exercised and not very socialized. Chow chow the same never got walks and was mean.
It's up to you, but akita AA or JA shed a lot. Shiba inu sheds a lot and their small dog!
I make do myself with frequent vacuuming and sweeping.
I currently live in Indiana it gets hot in summer, but also has seasons.. Fall weather cold winter. Saya is happiest in cold.
Saya has only gone down to Louisiana with me when it was cooler and low humidity. We'll see next time maybe it'll be higher humidity.. So can't comment on how she does in that type of humidity.
Saya tolerates summers well she mainly stays indoor and goes on walks in grass field I don't walk the dogs on cement or asphalt during hot days dangerous for feet..
I think if anyone wants an akita, shiba, or any fluffy dog should be worrying about how much fur they shed.. They have lots of fur and it does come off eventually. No amount of fish oil, premium fresh food.
I never owned lab before, but met multiple ones and man after they go for a swim and come out the fur on them sticks to your hands when petting them! lol
For whole week we were without power after Katrina and shape the two boxers and catahoula mix was sad. Despite the stock pile of clean water, dog food, caned food they lost a lot of weight and looked crappy.
Coarse it could just been stress of the whole ordeal. Luckily where we lived we only got minor roof damage, window, and blown down fence. Not sure if water came to garage or house like it has before.
Once moved to Indiana they got better.
I hope you find more akita owners in your area.
I always sugest meeting the breed before deciding. Even meeting an AA might offer some insight despite it not being a JA. Not sure how much difference temperament is, but still you'd see how active the dog is in the heat and humidity.
Good luck in your search either way.