Oh, you guys make me laugh with your idea of "cold"! 0F is about -18C, perfect dog sledding weather! Your akita should be able to handle that for hours without even noticing! In fact, he probably enjoys the colder weather.

Seriously, what a dog can handle varies wildly by breed & individual dog. Many sled dogs never get inside a house, but they survive and thrive in temps of -50C! With a decent shelter, a little straw and protection from the wind, a husky will be just fine in just about any weather. A toy poodle will have serious problems in a temp a husky considers too warm!

All of my dogs are outside for some period of time when it's -40C(-40F). Some of them for longer than others. The old timers go out and pee and come right back in. The younger dogs run around, play and then come in to warm up. Heyoka, my malamute, is at his most active when it's that cold. He loves it. Even the huskies think he's a little off his rocker! Hobo can't handle extreme temps as some of his fur never grew back where the wolf ripped him open. He gets frostbite very easily in those spots.

Last winter, in an extreme cold snap, I was outside trying to convince Pingo she should come in. I stuck my head in her doghouse and suddenly realized why she wasn't coming inside..it was warmer in her doghouse--insulated and full of straw! She was toasty warm!

Basically, use common sense and you and your dog will be fine.