Crossword Genius

Be honest, a bit of grooming's needed for exhibition dogs (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

fair dos

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'exhibition dogs' is the definition.
I don't know anything about this answer so I can't judge whether it can be defined by this definition.

'be honest a bit of grooming's needed' is the wordplay.
'be honest' becomes 'fair' (similar in meaning).
'a bit of grooming' becomes 'dos' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'needed' says to put letters next to each other.
'fair'+'dos'='FAIR DOS'

'for' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for fair dos that I've seen is " Equal treatment".)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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