One’s pet starter (8)
I believe the answer is:
springer
This might be a double definition.
'one's pet' is the first definition.
The answer and definition can be both animals as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'starter' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see an association between them that I can't see?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for springer that I've seen before include "A bounder" , "Game dog" , "Type of spaniel" , "Kind of spaniel" , "hound" .)