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Red or Irish setter, maybe, or an old sailor (3,3)

Ross

I think it could be either:

Which length description are you looking for?:

3,3

6*

sea dog

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'old sailor' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'red or irish setter maybe or an' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'setter' could be 'dog' (a setter is a type of dog) and 'dog' is found within the answer.
'an' could be 'a' and 'a' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'se' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for sea dog that I've seen before include "An old sailor of canine origin" , "Experienced sailor (colloq.)" , "'Old salt (3,3)'" , "Ancient Mariner" , "Dosage (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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