Thoughtful Breeding. Calm Foundations. Lifelong Connection.
.png)
Breeding for
Temperament
The dog we live with matters far more than the colour we see.
At Lovelocks, breeding decisions begin with temperament. Colour, coat and pattern are enjoyable parts of genetics, but they never outweigh emotional stability, human connection, trainability, sound structure and health.
A beautiful dog is not enough. A dog must demonstrate the qualities we want to carry forward into future generations.
What We Look For
The qualities we value in our breeding dogs
.png)
Human Connection
.png)
Emotional Balance
.png)
Trainability
.png)
Confidence Without Overwhelm
.png)
Affection & Intuition
.png)
Easy Family Living
Dogs that genuinely enjoy people, seek interaction and offer natural eye contact.
Able to experience excitement and novelty while also being able to settle.
Enjoy learning, engage readily and are motiavated to work with people.
Investigate new experiences, recover well and adapt throughfully.
Sensitive to people, notice changes and stay connected without being dependent.
Enjoyable, adaptable and manageable companions for everyday life.
The dog we live with matters far more than the colour we see.
A Developing Prospect
Is Just That - A Prospect
Not every puppy we retain will ultimately become a breeding dog.
Our Developing Prospects are given time to mature while we evaluate temperament, health, structure, movement and overall suitability. A beautiful pedigree or promising puppy temperament does not guarantee a future place in the breeding program.
​
Some dogs will be approved. Others will simply become much-loved pets.
The breeding program must earn the dog - not the other way around.
Temperament Is Observed Over Time
We do not believe temperament can be fully understood through a single puppy test.
From birth through puppyhood and into adulthood, we observe how our dogs:
The longer we live with and observe our lines, the more information we have to guide future breeding decisions.
connect with people
respond to new environments
recover after uncertainty
learn and problem-solve
cope with frustration
settle after activity
interact with other dogs
behave within family life
mature emotionally over time
Learning From Generations
The greatest value in a breeding program comes from knowing your dogs across generations.
​
Over time we see which traits consistently appear in daughters, sons, grandchildren and great-grandchildren — confidence from one line, sensitivity and connection from another, trainability, ease of living, structure or particular strengths.
​
That information allows us to make more thoughtful pairings than simply choosing two individually attractive dogs.
Martha
Foundation
Etta
Daughter
Nellie
.jpg)
Granddaughter
Saffy
Great - granddaughter
Health, Structure & Temperament Before Colour
Temperament comes first, but it cannot stand alone.
Dogs entering the Lovelocks breeding program must also meet our standards for health, structure and overall suitability, including genetic testing, hips and elbows, cardiac assessment, general health and appropriate conformation.
​
Our aim is not simply to breed a sweet or beautiful dog. We are looking for a healthy, structurally sound, emotionally balanced Australian Cobberdog with a genuine desire to connect with people.
​
Colour and pattern are the fun part. We love exploring the genetics behind caramel, red, phantom, roan, parti and other beautiful variations, but these are considered only after the qualities that make a wonderful companion are in place.