Crossword Genius

Small dog I had raised to excavate (3,2)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

dig up

'excavate' is the definition.
(synonyms)

'small dog i had raised' is the wordplay.
'small dog' becomes 'pug' (I've seen this in another clue).
'i had' becomes 'i'd' (contraction).
'raised' is a reversal indicator (going up in a down clue).
'pug'+'id'='pugid'
'pugid' backwards is 'DIG UP'.

'to' is the link.

(Other definitions for dig up that I've seen before include "Unearth" , "Uncover (something hidden)" , "Exhume" , "Excavate - discover" , "Disinter" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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