Crossword Genius

Short bloke with hard dog (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mastiff

'dog' is the definition.
(mastiff is a kind of dog)

'short bloke with hard' is the wordplay.
'short' means to remove the last letter.
'bloke' becomes 'max' (man's name).
'with hard' becomes 'stiff' (similar in meaning. I am not sure about the 'with' bit.).
'max' with its final letter taken off is 'ma'.
'ma'+'stiff'='MASTIFF'

(Other definitions for mastiff that I've seen before include "Powerful breed of watchdog" , "Big dog" , "Large, powerful, short-haired dog" , "Powerful, smooth-coated dog used for security work" , "one of his best friends?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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