Crossword Genius

Vagrant mongrel — quiet one with tail (2-3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

pi-dog

'vagrant mongrel' is the definition.
(wild dog)

'quiet one with tail' is the wordplay.
'quiet' becomes 'p' (music symbol for 'piano').
'one' becomes 'i' (roman numeral).
'with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'tail' becomes 'dog' (synonyms).
'p'+'i'+'dog'='PI-DOG'

(Another definition for pi-dog that I've seen is " Ownerless cur in India".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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