Crossword Genius

European pinching food regularly for dog (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

poodle

'for dog' is the definition.
(breed of dog)

'european pinching food regularly' is the wordplay.
'european' becomes 'pole' (someone from Poland).
'pinching' indicates putting letters inside (taking inside).
'regularly' indicates alternate letters (regularly take one letter, leave next etc.).
The alternating letters of 'food' are 'od'.
'pole' enclosing 'od' is 'POODLE'.

(Other definitions for poodle that I've seen before include "Dog (seen in a parlour?)" , "Woofing" , "Dog with curly coat, often clipped" , "Looped around the dog" , "National dog of France?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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