Bash first for canine expert (7)
I believe the answer is:
dentist
'canine expert' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'bash first' is the wordplay.
'bash' becomes 'dent' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'first' becomes 'ist'.
'dent'+'ist'='DENTIST'
'for' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for dentist that I've seen before include "Open wide for him" , "One treating teeth" , "One who treats teeth" , "Practitioner who looks down in the mouth?" , "Occasional driller" .)