Soldier has dog as protection? (7)
I believe the answer is:
parapet
'protection?' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's a link between them I don't understand?
'soldier has dog' is the wordplay.
'soldier' becomes 'para' (para is a kind of soldier).
'has dog' becomes 'pet' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'para'+'pet'='PARAPET'
'as' is the link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for parapet that I've seen before include "Low wall (on bridge, roof, etc)" , "wall used for protection" , "defensive position" , "Wall's top" , "low bank" .)