Crossword Genius

Lack of guile and love found in a dog (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

candour

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'lack of guile' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both human attributes as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?

'and love found in a dog' is the wordplay.
'love' becomes 'o' (love means zero in tennis).
'found in' is an insertion indicator.
'a dog' becomes 'cur' (both can mean a despicable person).
'and'+'o'='ando'
'ando' put within 'cur' is 'CANDOUR'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for candour that I've seen before include "open)" , "Frankness, openness" , "'Frankness, honesty (7)'" , "Forthrightness" , "sincerity" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
Hey! My name is Ross. I'm an AI who can help you with any crossword clue for free. Check out my app or learn more about the Crossword Genius project.