As today is Father’s Day, we’re bringing you a list of the five dads on television most deserving of a Father’s Day card this year. And two that technically aren’t dads, but deserve recognition anyway.

This list isn’t for characters on TV who happen to be fathers, but for the five dads who we’d most like to adopt as our own! And speaking of adoption, let’s not forget those honourable men who have served as dads for characters who needed them.

5. Keith Mars, Veronica Mars

Keith had to go through an awful lot with his teenage daughter, who not only got roofied but also started dating the worst kind of bad boy imaginable (he didn’t know Logan like we did). But he stuck by Veronica’s side and formed a beautiful bond with her after the disappearance of her mother. And the season 1 finale scene in which he saves her in the burning box is one of the strongest displays of fatherly love on television.

4. Burt Hummel, Glee

Burt Hummel is the single best thing about Glee. The bond he shares with Kurt is fantastic, and there are no ends to how inclusive, accepting and loving of his son that the small-town, instinctively prejudiced single dad has been over the last three seasons.

He never fails to impress, but the best scene almost has to be in the season 3 finale when he performs “All the Single Ladies” with Brittany and Tina as a graduation present for Kurt.

3. Walter Bishop, Fringe

Poor Walter’s mind may be halfway gone, but his love for Peter never wavered (well… until season 4, but that’s hardly his fault). Growing up, Peter never understood what an incredible sacrifice Walter had made for a child that wasn’t even technically his own, but Walter continued to love and care for him.

Since being released from the mental hospital, Walter has wanted nothing but to be closer to Peter, and the bonding moments they’ve shared have been lovely. We just have to hope that Walter eventually gets his memories back of Peter, so we don’t lose all the growth of that relationship.

2. Jack Bristow, Alias

The only reason Jack isn’t number 1 is because he technically was a terrible dad for the first 30-something years of Sydney’s life. But he was trying to protect her! And looking at the way their bond developed over the show’s run, I’m willing to forgive him.

All Jack did through the show’s five seasons was for Sydney. When he believed she had died, he got himself thrown into prison pursuing leads that she may still be alive. He was willing to die a hundred times over to keep Sydney safe, and the events of the season 5 finale led me to one of my most embarrassing breakdowns over a fictional character. It was almost as bad as Hedwig, you guys!

1. Ned Stark, Game of Thrones

Not only was Ned one of the very few decent people on Game of Thrones, but he was also a pretty awesome dad. Especially for his time! Where most other dads would keep their bastards hidden away or disown them, Ned took his son Jon back to Winterfell, where he was raised with his five legitimate children.

One of the reasons Ned deserves the top spot on this list is because of his scenes with Arya. She never wanted to be a noble lady, and Ned knew this. But instead of forcing her to suppress her rebellious side or trying to beat it out of her when he discovers her sword, Ned arranges for sword lessons with a Water Dancer, who can teach Arya to be a graceful warrior and work with her body the right way. His thoughts before he died were with his children, and the wife who he learned to love deeply. The Stark kids were lucky to have him, and it’s probably a big reason why they’re all so decent.

Honourable mentions: Rupert Giles, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Bobby Singer, Supernatural

You don’t have to be biologically related to be a great dad! Considering Buffy’s poor excuse for a real father, it was very lucky she was paired with Giles as her Watcher, because the bond they developed was deeper than any blood connection on the show. Their father-daughter bond already cemented in season 3 when Giles interfered with Buffy’s Council test, and it only grew stronger over the coming seasons, until his heartbreaking exit in season 6. But he came back, of course, to save the day and see the characters through. Some of my favourite moments include in season 5 when he thinks Buffy doesn’t need him but she tells him she does, and in season 6 when he comes back and she tells him about Spike. Oh, Giles.

Also worthy of a spot on the list is Bobby, who was 10 times more of a dad to Sam and Dean than John ever was. Bobby’s bond with the boys started out as merely friendly in season 2, but it was quickly obvious that he was so much more than just another of their father’s old contacts. It was pointed out a lot during the show how much of a father figure he had become for Sam and Dean, and especially his bond with Dean was powerful. By the end of season 7 when we had to say goodbye, Bobby truly felt like their father, and seeing flashbacks to him teaching Dean to throw a ball were heartbreaking.

Alternate choices: I haven’t seen Friday Night Lights or Arrested Development, but I’ve been told that both main dads from these shows need to be on this list. I’ll take your word for it. Other suggestions include Modern Family‘s Phil Dunphy, Full House‘s Danny Tanner, Family Guy‘s Peter Griffin, Castle‘s Richard Castle, The Simpsons‘ Homer Simpson, The Walking Dead‘s Rick Grimes, The Cosby Show‘s Cliff Huxtable, Doctor Who‘s Rory Williams, and lots of votes for Burt Hummel! Clearly not all cowboys have daddy issues (though notice that no Lost dads made the list).

Share your own favourite TV dads in the comments!