Crossword Genius

Creature imaginably crossed with a dog? (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pelican

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

'creature' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'imaginably crossed with a dog?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'a' could be 'an' and 'an' is located in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for pelican that I've seen before include "Bird with enormous bill" , "In place for large-billed bird" , "one with huge bill" , "Large water bird" , "Large-billed seabird" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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