Crossword Genius

Am exercising the rheumaticky dog (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mastiff

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

'dog' is the definition.
(mastiff is a kind of dog)

'am exercising the rheumaticky' is the wordplay.
'exercising' is an anagram indicator.
'the rheumaticky' becomes 'stiff' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'am' with letters rearranged gives 'ma'.
'ma'+'stiff'='MASTIFF'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mastiff that I've seen before include "Powerful dog breed" , "Strong breed of dog" , "Powerful breed of watchdog" , "one of his best friends?" , "Big dog" .)

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