Adjusting exercise for a heavy-coated dog at altitude and heat combined
Kenji carries a serious double coat, bred for cold work, and Salt Lake summers now bring both thin dry air and real heat at the same time. I've moved all real exertion to early morning, shortened afternoon walks to almost nothing, and watch him closely for the heavier panting that means we stop right there. Curious how other owners of northern, heavy-coated guardian breeds are handling summer in drier climates.
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Sounds like you're managing it properly, morning-only exertion is the right call for that build. People underestimate how much a guardian breed's coat and temperament were shaped for a completely different climate than where most owners actually live
We didn't realize how much altitude changes the heat risk until we visited family out west with Buster, definitely underestimated it. For anyone looking into the breed itself, the listing page is a good starting point: https://allinpets.com/pets/dogs/american-akita/
VIKTOR KOWALSKI
Bear deals with the same problem, a cold-climate coat does not care what the calendar says. Found this useful on the American Akita specifically, coat and heat tolerance covered well: https://allinpets.com/blog/dog-breeds/american-akita-a-powerful-and-loyal-guardian-12/