Looking for an Anatolian Shepherd for adoption in Knoxville (Dandridge), TN? Sully would love to be considered for the position of your cherished family companion.

Sully’s Story: The Loyal Gentle Giant of Dandridge, TN

If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to be adored with the intensity of a knight guarding a castle, meet Sully. At first glance, he’s a 125-pound Anatolian Shepherd with a broad chest, soulful eyes, and the kind of presence that makes Amazon drivers reconsider their life choices.

But spend even five minutes with him, and you’ll realize he’s also a soft-hearted comedian wrapped in a giant dog suit—equal parts guardian, goofball, and gentle old soul.

Sully loves deeply. When he chooses you, he chooses you. He’s the dog who will sleep at your feet, check the windows at night, and lean his whole magnificent self into your hands during grooming—unless you reach for his tail or his toes, because even heroes have boundaries. He is fiercely loyal, emotionally intuitive, and just independent enough to keep you humble.

But don’t let his serious “protector of the realm” persona fool you. Sully is secretly hilarious. He enjoys a good game of “steal the shoe” (never both shoes—that would be chaos, he says—just one to keep things interesting). He dashes around the kitchen like he’s performing his own personal NASCAR circuit, and he knows precisely how to weaponize his love of cheese to get what he wants.

He also takes great delight in convincing you he absolutely cannot get into the car—unless, of course, it was his idea, in which case it becomes the most exciting adventure ever imagined.

Sully has had a wonderful life, filled with love and acres to roam freely. But life has a way of shifting under our feet. His owners, who adore him with their whole hearts, have faced a series of major surgeries and physical limitations. Their strong, joyful boy needs running room, purpose, and activity—things they can no longer safely provide.

Sully’s world has slowly become smaller, not through lack of love but lack of ability. And when a dog built for movement can’t stretch his legs or his mind, he becomes restless, confused, and protective in ways that aren’t fair to him.

So, with tears, courage, and the deepest hope for his future, they’ve made the painful choice to rehome him.

Sully is honest about who he is: a brilliant, powerful, sensitive dog who thrives when allowed to be what Anatolian Shepherds were meant to be—think protector, thinker, runner, philosopher, part-time security consultant. He’s territorial on his property because he takes his job seriously. He needs a large, secure space to run and someone who understands big guardian dog breeds. He needs a person with confidence, patience, humor, and the good sense not to leave cheese unattended.

But here’s the beautiful thing: give this dog space, structure, and love, and he will give you back a lifetime of loyalty so deep it feels mythic.

He is good with dogs. He respects cats. He adores children (especially the ones who drop snacks). He sleeps on the couch like a champion. He enjoys bully sticks, frozen cheese treats, and the occasional peanut-butter-related spiritual experience. And although he’s smart enough to overthink absolutely everything—including whether to get into a vehicle—he’s also sweet enough to melt when he trusts you.

Sully doesn’t just want a new home.
He wants a partner.
A person with heart, humor, and a bit of grit. Someone who will look into those soulful eyes and say, “I see you, big guy. Let’s figure this out together.”

If you’ve got land, love, and a soft spot for noble misfits with heroic potential… Sully might just be your once-in-a-lifetime dog.

He’s ready for his next chapter.
He’s ready for someone who sees the best in him.
And he’s ready—so ready—to love again.

If Sully has touched your heart even a little, please apply to adopt him.
He’s waiting, hopeful, and so deserving of the forever family who will give him the freedom, purpose, and affection his big beautiful heart craves.

Amazing Things About Sully:

He is such a sweetheart when he wants to be, he is fiercely loyal to me. He will defend the neighborhood if you let him.

Sully’s owners are very sad to have to rehome their cherished dog, but circumstances beyond their control have made rehoming a must-do.

They are hoping to find the right home where this deserving dog will be loved unconditionally and kept safe, happy, healthy and well-cared-for.

If you have room in your heart and home for Sully, then please offer a loving, forever home today. Sully can’t wait to show you the true meaning of unconditional love.

How To Adopt Sully

Please fill out our online meeting request form via the button below. Once your application is received and reviewed, a member of our Knoxville dog rehoming team will ask the pets owner to reach out to you and arrange a meeting.

There is a $150 adoption/rehoming fee. Supplies and veterinary records will be included.

Questions about Sully?

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All About Sully – Anatolian Shepherd dog For Adoption in Dandridge TN

Name of Pet: Sully
Location: Dandridge, TN, 37725
Type of Pet: dog
Breed of Pet: Anatolian Shepherd
Sex of Pet: Male
Age of Pet: 3
Weight: 125 pounds
Spayed/Neutered?: Yes
Health Problems: No
Behavior Issues: Yes He has been regressing and acting out due to owners’ physical constraints. He is notably territorial one ‘his’ property and over ‘his people’. Due to inactivity, he is now cabled and his world is becoming smaller and he needs to run.
Up To Date on Vaccinations: Yes
Gets along with cats: Yes
Gets along with dogs: Yes
Good with Children?: Good With Children aged 8 and up
House Broken or Litter Trained?: No
Crate Trained?: No
Accessories Included: He would be able to have his blanket. He sleeps on the couch and the bed so, he can’t take those :(. He doesn’t really have a favorite toy that he hasn’t eaten yet.

Sully’s Personality

Mostly congenial. He is a little aloof when outside, independent thinker. He loves to be pet and groomed (except his tail and feet). Does not like to be in a vehicle, unless his idea. Does not like to be constrained/restrained. He is used to running free in our 3 acres until that got too small for him. He is very protective over children. He does not like ‘other’ animals in his yard, skunks, squirrels, etc.

Sully’s Favorite Toys, Foods, Activities?

He loves cheese, liverwurst, food. He really loves food. He is extremely smart, to the point I am afraid to teach him anything. He enjoys bully stick, antlers, frozen cheese and peanut butter in his Kong or bones. Not a big ball fan, or pull toys unless our other dog has it. He loves to play ring around the kitchen. He likes to steal one shoe, or a pillow, or a sock, mostly to get you to chase him.

Why is Sully Being Rehomed?

I have had two back surgeries this year, one last year so I can no longer walk him safely. My husband is going to have surgery on his ankle, so he can no longer safely walk him. He has learned to get under and over our fence. He has only shown aggression to our neighbor, so we can no longer safely let him out. Unfortunately, his confinement is leading to behavioral issues through no fault of his own.

Sully’s Perfect Adoptive Home Will Be:

He needs a good, stable home with something to do. He is not a ‘house’ dog, although he can be in the house and is mostly in the house at this time. He needs a job, friends and a person to love him. He needs a safe space to run and be satisfied.

I feel he needs a person with large dog experience, time and money to put into him for him to blossom beyond what I am able to do. He is a big dog and very strong. His companion and friend has been a pit mix, so he has learned some moves from her.

He is very good at sparring, but he can get a bit much, if unsupervised for long. I suggest an electric fence and at least a 6 ft tight fence.

I am asking, begging, requesting someone please take the time to read all of this and see if you can’t provide this good dog with a chance at an even better life. He has been my baby for 3 years and his needs have exceeded what I am able to provide him.

I would be more than happy to have a conversation or if you would rather to make your own judgement, I respect that. I understand that he will act different towards you than me, I just ask to be gentle with him. Underneath his size, he has a soft heart and will be confused as why he was uprooted from his home and his family. Please be patient with him.

Sully’s Location

Sully is located close to the following towns and cities in Tennessee and North Carolina, and can be adopted from anywhere within a reasonable distance.

Dandridge TN,
Sevierville TN,
Morristown TN,
Knoxville TN,
Greeneville TN,
Alcoa TN,
Maryville TN,
Clinton TN,
Farragut TN,
Waynesville NC,
Oak Ridge TN,
Lenoir City TN,
Asheville NC,
Kingsport TN,
Johnson City TN,
Bloomingdale TN,

Adopt this deserving Anatolian Shepherd dog in Dandridge TN today.

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