Loser finds canine paws here (8)
I believe the answer is:
underdog
This clue might be a double definition.
'loser' is the first definition.
(I know that underdog is a type of loser)
'canine paws here' is the second definition.
The definition and answer can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?
'finds' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for underdog that I've seen before include "Loser; subject" , "Such is unlikely to succeed" , "Competitor expected to lose" , "One thought unlikely to win" , "Weaker contestant" .)