Crossword Genius

The queen to cross parting water (that is, lake), finding dog (8,7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

springer spaniel

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

'dog' is the definition.
(springer spaniel is a kind of dog)

'the queen to cross parting water that is lake' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'queen' could be 'er' (abbreviation for Elizabeth Regina) and 'er' is found within the answer.
'cross' could be 'span' (span can mean to cross or bridge) and 'span' is found within the answer.
'water' could be 'spring' (spring water is a kind of water) and 'spring' is found within the answer.
'lake' could be 'l' (geographical abbreviation) and 'l' is found within the answer.
'that is' could be 'ie' (short for Latin 'id est', 'that is') and 'ie' is found within the answer.
This accounts for all the letters.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'finding' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for springer spaniel that I've seen before include "might this be barking?" , "breed of dog" , "one used to raise game" .)

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.
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