Dog on telly, bitter (8)

I believe the answer is:

airedale

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'dog' is the definition.
(Airedale is an example)

'telly bitter' is the wordplay.
'telly' becomes 'aired' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'bitter' becomes 'ale' (type of beer or bitter).
'aired'+'ale'='AIREDALE'

'on' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for airedale that I've seen before include "part of Yorkshire" , "Thematic type [DOG]" , "River valley; rough-coated terrier" , "Yorkshire district; breed of terrier" , "Terrier - Yorkshire area" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.

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