Note bird dog (6)
I believe the answer is:
beagle
'dog' is the definition.
(beagle is a kind of dog)
'note bird' is the wordplay.
'note' becomes 'b' (musical note).
'bird' becomes 'eagle' (eagle is a kind of bird).
'b'+'eagle'='BEAGLE'
(Other definitions for beagle that I've seen before include "5 [MANS BEST FRIEND]" , "Short-haired dog" , "hunting animal with smooth coat" , "Breed of dog in a glebe" , "Small hunting dog" .)