Crossword Genius

Start breeding birds and dogs (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

beagles

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

'dogs' is the definition.
(beagle is a kind of dog)

'start breeding birds' is the wordplay.
'start breeding' becomes 'b' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'birds' becomes 'eagles' (eagle is a kind of bird).
'b'+'eagles'='BEAGLES'

'and' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for beagles that I've seen before include "Short-legged hounds" , "Dogs" , "These hounds bag eels badly" , "Hunting hounds" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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