Crossword Genius

Innovative dog? (5-6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

trend-setter

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

'innovative dog?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?

'innovative dog?' is the wordplay.
'innovative' becomes 'trend' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'dog?' becomes 'setter' (setter is a type of dog).
'trend'+'setter'='TREND-SETTER'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for trend-setter that I've seen before include "Fashionable person" , "Leader of fashion" , "One who popularises a fashion" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.
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