Crossword Genius

Caught a number of dogs (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

canine

'of dogs' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'caught a number' is the wordplay.
'caught' becomes 'c' (cricket abbreviation).
'number' becomes 'nine' (nine is a kind of number**).
'c'+'a'+'nine'='CANINE'

(Other definitions for canine that I've seen before include "Of or like dogs" , "A tooth; of our best friend" , "Doggy; tooth" , "like a setter" , "Pointed conical tooth" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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