Pinch little dog with half-docked tail (5)
I believe the answer is:
pugil
'pinch little' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I cannot judge whether this works.
'dog with half-docked tail' is the wordplay.
'dog' becomes 'pug' (pug is a kind of dog).
'with half docked' indicates taking half (dock can mean to remove or cut away).
'tail' halved is 'il'.
'pug'+'il'='PUGIL'
Can you help me to learn more?
I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution?
Install my app