First of several kittens edgy about cheerful little dog (10)

I believe the answer is:

schipperke

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'little dog' is the definition.
'schipperke' can be an answer for 'dog' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'little' bit.

'first of several kittens edgy about cheerful' is the wordplay.
'first of' says to take the initial letters.
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'cheerful' becomes 'chipper' (similar in meaning).
The first letters of 'several kittens edgy' is 'ske'.
'ske' placed around 'chipper' is 'SCHIPPERKE'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for schipperke that I've seen is " dog".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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