Echoes Of The Old World Names for American Water Spaniel

This name is a subtle nod to the Irish Water Spaniel, one of the key breeds believed to be in the American Water Spaniel's ancestry.[1, 6] The River Shannon is the longest river in Ireland, a major artery of the island. The name 'Shannon' connects the AWS to a deep, Old World legacy of water work, suggesting that its talents were not created in a vacuum but were inherited and refined from Irish stock. It evokes a sense of ancient, flowing history.

The name of the longest river in Ireland, from the Irish 'Sionainn'. It is a popular given name in English-speaking countries.

Tweed refers to both a river on the border of England and Scotland and a type of rough, woolen fabric associated with British country life. This name hints at the AWS's British ancestry, likely including the now-extinct English Water Spaniel and the Curly-Coated Retriever.[6, 23] The name evokes a sense of rugged, rustic tradition and a connection to the damp, chilly landscapes of the British Isles. It also serves as a textural metaphor for the dog's own dense, weather-resistant coat.

The fabric is named after the River Tweed in Scotland. It is a rough, unfinished woolen fabric, of a soft, open, flexible texture.

The River Foyle is a major river in the north of Ireland, forming the border between County Donegal and Northern Ireland. Like 'Shannon', this name is a tribute to the breed's Irish Water Spaniel heritage. However, 'Foyle' is a more unusual and distinctive choice. It has a crisp, strong sound and evokes images of cold, fast-flowing water and rugged coastlines. It suggests a dog with a deep, ancient connection to the water, a legacy carried across the Atlantic.

The name of a river in Ulster, Ireland. The name is of Irish origin, 'An Feabhal'.

Bantry is a town and a bay in County Cork, Ireland, a place deeply associated with the sea. This name serves as another nod to the Irish Water Spaniel's contribution to the AWS. The name evokes a sense of history, of a hardy people and their dogs living and working by the water. It suggests a lineage of toughness and resilience, bred for the harsh conditions of the North Atlantic and later adapted to the icy lakes of Wisconsin.

From the Irish 'Beanntraí', referring to a tribe called the 'Beannraige'. It is the name of a town and a large bay on the southwest coast of Ireland.

This name directly references the Sussex Spaniel, a breed that some historians believe may have contributed to the development of the American Water Spaniel.[1] The Sussex is a long, low, and powerful flushing spaniel, known for its rich, golden-liver color. The name 'Sussex' acknowledges this possible English connection, a hint of a different kind of spaniel heritage—one more focused on the dense undergrowth of the forest than the open water.

Named for the county of Sussex in southern England, where the Sussex Spaniel breed was developed. The name Sussex is from Old English 'Sūþsēaxe', meaning '(land of the) South Saxons'.

Kinsale is a historic port and fishing town in County Cork, Ireland. The name evokes images of colorful boats, salty air, and a deep, centuries-old connection to the water. As a tribute to the breed's Irish ancestry, 'Kinsale' is both specific and atmospheric. It suggests a heritage not just of hunting, but of a life lived in and around the water, a legacy of seamanship and resilience that was passed down to the dogs who worked alongside the fishermen and hunters.

From the Irish 'Cionn tSáile', meaning 'head of the brine' or 'head of the salt water'. It is a historic port town in County Cork, Ireland.

The Barbet is an old French water dog breed, considered an ancestor to the Poodle and other water dogs. The Poodle is another breed thought to be in the AWS's background.[6] The name 'Barbet' comes from the French word for 'beard' ('barbe'). This name reaches even deeper into the history of European water dogs, acknowledging the ancient lineage of curly-coated, water-loving breeds from which the AWS ultimately descends. It speaks to a shared, ancient purpose.

The name of a French water dog breed, from the French 'barbe', meaning 'beard'. The Barbet is an ancestor of many modern water dog breeds.

Corcoran is an Irish surname meaning 'ruddy-faced' or 'of reddish complexion'. This name is a clever and subtle way to honor the breed's Irish heritage while also referencing its distinctive color. The liver, brown, and chocolate tones of the AWS often have warm, reddish highlights. 'Corcoran' connects the dog's appearance to a specific Irish characteristic, weaving together its potential ancestry and its physical traits into a single, meaningful name.

An anglicized form of the Irish surname 'Ó Corcráin', from 'corcair', meaning 'purple' or 'ruddy'.

Donnelly is a common Irish surname meaning 'brown and valiant' or 'brave'. This name is a perfect tribute to the breed's Irish roots and its core characteristics. The 'brown' directly references its coat color, while 'valiant' and 'brave' speak to the courage and gameness that were so prized by its original developers.[1] The name 'Donnelly' encapsulates the ideal American Water Spaniel in both appearance and temperament.

An anglicized form of the Irish surname 'Ó Donnghaile', from 'donn' (brown) and 'gal' (valor, bravery).

This name refers to County Clare in Ireland, a region known for its dramatic, rugged coastline and stunning natural beauty, including the Cliffs of Moher. As a nod to the breed's Irish heritage, 'Clare' evokes a landscape shaped by water and wind, a place of wildness and resilience. It suggests a dog whose spirit is tied to these powerful, elemental forces, a creature of both beauty and strength.

The name of a county in western Ireland, from the Irish 'an Clár', meaning 'the plain'.