Size
(when grown) Large 61-100 lbs (28-45 kg)
Details
Not good with kids,
Not good with dogs,
Not good with cats,
Needs experienced adopter,
Story
Meet Archer
For the first few years of Archer’s life, it seems no one ever taught him what it meant to be someone’s dog.
He was left largely to his own devices—unaltered, roaming freely along busy roads. He eventually became a familiar face at a local Post Office. When the decision was made to bring him safely into Noah’s Arc, no owner came forward.
Archer was heartworm positive and had to endure the long, difficult process of heartworm treatment. But his physical health was only part of the story. After roughly three years of inconsistency and very few boundaries, Archer also needed something he had likely never had before: structure, stability, and someone willing to teach him.
Our friends at Integrity K9 stepped in and gave Archer exactly that. They took the time to truly get to know him, work with him, and help him understand what was expected of him.
And Archer showed everyone just how capable he is.
Today, at around 4 years old, Archer has come an incredible way. He walks nicely on a leash, rides beautifully in the car, knows commands including sit and down, enjoys getting out for public outings, and loves learning and spending time with his people. He has done well with other dogs with slow, thoughtful introductions and has also successfully been around cats.
Archer’s Forever Home Requirements
A securely fenced yard with fencing taller than 4 feet. Archer is athletic and capable of clearing shorter fencing, so this is a must for his safety.
Children ages 10 and older.
No livestock or farm animals. Archer cannot safely live in a home with livestock.
We want to be very clear about something: these requirements are not about limiting Archer. They are about giving him the freedom to thrive safely.
Because Archer’s future doesn’t need to be small.
He is an athletic, intelligent dog who loves having something to do — and he absolutely loves the water. During his time on a property with access to dock-diving facilities, it became pretty clear that water is his happy place. Even now, give Archer a tub and he is immediately in it, splashing around and happily dunking his head underwater.
With the right person, who knows what Archer might get to try next? Dock diving could be an incredible outlet to explore with him. Training, outings, adventures, dog sports — there is still so much of the world this boy can experience.
Archer is not a dog we believe needs to be kept away from life. Quite the opposite. He has shown that he can learn, behave appropriately in public, work around other dogs, and rise to expectations when someone gives him clear boundaries and consistency.
That’s why we feel confident being specific about the home we choose for him.
We know Archer now. We know what helps him succeed, and we know the situations that are not safe for him. Narrowing his search to the right environment isn’t closing doors — it’s making sure the door we eventually open is one he never has to walk back through.
Archer has already lived through enough uncertainty for one lifetime. We are incredibly thankful his years of roaming busy roads didn’t end very differently. He made it here. He survived heartworm disease and treatment. He learned structure and boundaries. And underneath all of that history is a smart, loyal, wonderfully athletic dog with so much life still ahead of him.
After a hard beginning, Archer deserves a future that is safe and steady — but also full.
Full of adventures. Full of things to learn. Maybe even full of weekends spent launching himself into a pool after his favorite toy.
Most of all, full of someone who understands exactly who he is and loves him enough to give him both the boundaries and the opportunities he deserves.
Noah’s Arc Animal Rescue is a nonprofit animal rescue serving East Tennessee since 1991. We are committed to rescuing homeless dogs and cats, providing the medical care they need, and helping them find loving, lifelong homes. Our pets are spayed/neutered, microchipped, up-to-date on age-appropriate vaccinations, current on flea/tick prevention, dewormed, and examined by a veterinarian. Dogs are heartworm tested and cats are FIV/FeLV tested when age appropriate.
