Crossword Genius

Soft food and hard exercise for a dog (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

mush

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'soft food' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'hard exercise for a dog' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'hard' could be 'h' (abbreviation used in pencil classifications) and 'h' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'mus' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'and' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for mush that I've seen before include "Face" , "Cloying sentimentality" , "Soft pulp or feeble sentimentality" , "order for dogs" , "Go on, Husky!" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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