Hound flighty type after bad start (6)

I believe the answer is:

beagle

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'hound' is the definition.
(beagle is a kind of hound)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for beagle that I've seen before include "Small, sturdy breed of hound" , "Hunting hound" , "Breed of dog in a glebe" , "Small hunting dog" , "Small short-legged hound" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).

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