My GSD fits well in my studio. Don't believe 'no dog can be left alone 4 hours max' bloody trash. Unless you're housebreaking a puppy 8 hours max is reasonable.
My concern is the Akita... certainly not ideal for novice owners. All breeds you listed need lots of exercise, socialization, and training. I hope you know what you're getting into.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.