Crossword Genius

Actor with servant confining black dog (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

doberman

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'dog' is the definition.
(breed of dog)

'actor with servant confining black' is the wordplay.
'actor with' becomes 'doer' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'servant' becomes 'man' (man is a kind of servant).
'confining' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'black' becomes 'b' (as in pencil classifications).
'doer'+'man'='doerman'
'doerman' going around 'b' is 'DOBERMAN'.

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(Other definitions for doberman that I've seen before include "Long-legged terrier" , "Originally German breed of watchdog" , "...pinscher, large dog" , "Dog used as guard - bond mare (anag)" , "Barker" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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