Crossword Genius

Popular dog to run up (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

incur

'run up' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'popular dog' is the wordplay.
'popular' becomes 'in'.
'dog' becomes 'cur' (cur is a kind of dog).
'in'+'cur'='INCUR'

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for incur that I've seen before include "Fall liable to" , "Sustain" , "Bring upon oneself - be liable for" , "Arouse" , "Become subject to (something unwelcome)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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