Though our home is big enough for our cats, it just wouldn’t be fair to confine a dog to it—much to the dismay of our little girl. Someday, when we have enough land to roam around on, we would love to get a great family dog to expand our little ragtag team. A German shepherd, also known as the Alsatian, might just be our dog of choice.

Though some people go for the tinier pups, we’re really into the bigger, teddy-bear types—not the jumbo dogs you’d sick on the postman to keep the IRS bill away, but the big lovable canines who are affectionate and good with kids but still offer that feeling of safety some dogs can give. As a kid, I had a Labrador who seemed to embody all of these qualities—as well as a couple of beagles who sort of did, too; but I think our next dog may end up being a handsome German Shepherd.

Bred as an all-purpose working dog in the late 1890s, German shepherds came to America in 1908. Its brains, courage and abilities were immediately noticed by American soldiers. This led to their use in being trained to help humans as guide dogs, rescue dogs and police dogs.

Here are ten great reasons to adopt a German shepherd:

10. Are they not the most adorable puppies ever?

9. Generally clean dogs, German Shepherds only need to be bathed occasionally. Seeing as bathing big dogs can be hard work, this is a definite plus.

8. Super smart, these dogs are sure to learn whatever you’d like to teach them (though I wouldn’t go for the sic-the-mailman trick mentioned above).

7. German shepherds are great with obedience training, making them great both indoors and outdoors.

6. They love exercise, making them perfect for romping around the yard or walking with. In fact, if German shepherds don’t get enough exercise, they can get bored or upset, so they will keep you fit, too!

5. Confident and loyal, German shepherds usually need no coaxing and are always up for playing around—as well as offering affection to their humans.

4. They love to please their owners, making them less likely to engage in negative behaviors.

3. The come in a wide variety of pretty colors, from tan with spots to black to white, which, combined with their alert ears, kind eyes and fit stature make them very handsome dogs.

2. German shepherds usually love kids and tolerate being poked around by well-meaning toddlers. That said, young children should always be watched around the dogs just because of their sheer size; German shepherds can actually knock kids over unintentionally while trying to play or express affection.

1. They will also guard the children in their family, defending them against any potential threats.