Female Names for American Water Spaniel

A cascade is a small waterfall, typically one of several that fall in stages down a steep, rocky slope. This name evokes the image of flowing water in a more dynamic and beautiful form. It speaks to the breed's liver-colored, curly coat, which can look like tumbling water in the sunlight. 'Cascade' captures both the dog's energy and its aesthetic appeal—the combination of functional power and the natural, unadorned beauty that Dr. Pfeifer himself admired in the breed.[1]

From the Italian 'cascata', meaning 'a fall', from 'cascare', 'to fall'. It refers to a waterfall or a succession of waterfalls.

Sienna is an earth pigment, a type of clay rich in iron oxide that produces a range of colors from yellowish-brown to a deep reddish-brown when heated ('burnt sienna'). This name perfectly captures the rich, warm, and earthy tones of the American Water Spaniel's coat. It connects the dog's color not to something artificial, but to the natural pigments of the earth, reinforcing its identity as a creature of the landscape.

From Siena, Italy, where the pigment was produced during the Renaissance. It refers to an earthy pigment containing iron oxide and manganese oxide, used as a yellowish-brown or reddish-brown color.

Sable refers to a rich, dark brown color, often associated with the luxurious fur of the marten. While the AWS coat is functional, not ornamental, this name elevates its beautiful dark chocolate or liver coloring to something precious and prized. 'Sable' captures the depth and richness of the dog's coat, suggesting a silky, lustrous quality. It’s a name that sees the profound beauty in the breed's simple, solid brown coloration.

From the Slavic name for the marten, a weasel-like mammal prized for its dark, soft fur. 'Sable' has come to mean both the animal and its characteristic black or dark brown color.

Moxie is force of character, determination, or nerve. It’s a name that perfectly describes the plucky, confident attitude of the American Water Spaniel. This is a dog that, despite its medium size, possesses immense courage and self-confidence.[11] 'Moxie' speaks to the breed's ability to face challenges head-on, whether it's icy water or thick, thorny cover. It’s a name for a dog with a spirited, spunky, and fearless personality.

An American slang term from the 1920s, derived from 'Moxie', the brand name of a soft drink, which was marketed as giving 'nerve' and 'pep'.

Cadence refers to a rhythmic flow or sequence. This name speaks to the American Water Spaniel's well-balanced and efficient gait, a smooth rhythm of reach and drive that gives the impression of power and strength.[11, 13] It also describes the steady, methodical way a good AWS works a field, quartering back and forth in a natural rhythm. 'Cadence' suggests a creature of balance, poise, and a deep, innate sense of timing.

From the Latin 'cadentia', meaning 'a falling'. It refers to a rhythmic flow of sounds or words, or the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion.

Jewelweed is a common plant in Wisconsin's wet, shady areas, known for its beautiful, jewel-like flowers and the way its leaves repel water, appearing silvery when submerged.[16] This name is a beautiful metaphor for the AWS. Like the jewelweed, the AWS is a native of the wetlands with a waterproof coat. The name suggests a hidden gem, a creature of unexpected beauty found in the wild places. It speaks of the dog's rare and precious nature.

Named for its jewel-like, brightly colored flowers or the silvery appearance of its leaves underwater. Jewelweed (genus Impatiens) is a common plant of wet woodlands and riverbanks.

Marsh Mallow is a plant native to wetlands, known for its soft, downy leaves and beautiful, pale flowers. Its root was the original source for the confectionery. This name evokes the softer side of the American Water Spaniel. It speaks to the breed's gentle, affectionate nature as a family companion. 'Mallow' suggests a dog with a sweet disposition and a comforting presence, a soft counterpoint to its rugged, hardworking exterior.

From Old English 'mear-mealwe', literally 'marsh mallow'. It refers to plants of the genus Althaea, which grow in marshes and have soft, velvety leaves.

The mink is a semi-aquatic furbearer native to the Wisconsin river valleys, known for its rich, dark brown coat and its fierce, tenacious nature.[21] This name is a metaphor for the AWS's appearance and spirit. It evokes the dog's deep, lustrous brown coat and its sleek, efficient movement in the water. 'Mink' also suggests a creature with a fiery, determined spirit, a small but mighty hunter that is perfectly at home in its riverine environment.

From Swedish 'mink' or 'mänk'. The mink is a semiaquatic species of mustelid native to North America, known for its valuable fur.

Wrens are small, energetic, and often very vocal songbirds. This name is a lovely metaphor for the American Water Spaniel's character. The AWS is a medium-sized dog, one of the smallest of the sporting breeds, yet it is packed with energy and can be 'quite vocal at times'.[1] 'Wren' captures this combination of small stature and big personality. It suggests a creature that is lively, cheerful, and always making its presence known.

From Old English 'wrænna'. Wrens are a family of primarily small, brown, passerine birds known for their loud and complex songs.

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.

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.

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'.

A fable is a short story, typically with animals as characters, conveying a moral. This name casts the American Water Spaniel as the charming protagonist of her own tale. It suggests a dog with a strong character and a story to tell, perhaps one about the virtues of hard work, loyalty, and a cheerful heart. 'Fable' is a whimsical and intelligent name that speaks to the narrative power of a dog's life.

From the Latin 'fabula', meaning 'a story, tale, narrative'. A fable is a short story conveying a moral, often with animals as characters.

A name that ties the dog to the larger ecosystem of its birth, referencing Lake Winnebago, a massive freshwater lake fed by the Fox and Wolf Rivers where the breed was developed.[4, 5] It speaks of vast, cold waters and the challenging environment that shaped this dog. The name carries the weight of the Great Lakes region, a landscape that demanded a compact, hardy, and versatile water dog capable of handling icy temperatures and working from small skiffs.[1, 6]

From the name of Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin, which itself is derived from the name given to the Ho-Chunk Native American tribe by neighboring Algonquian peoples. The rivers where the AWS was developed feed this lake.[4]

A name that directly ties the dog to its cradle of development, the Fox River Valley in Wisconsin.[5, 7] Alongside the Wolf River, this waterway was the primary theater of operations for the 19th-century hunters who required this specific type of dog. The name 'Fox River' evokes imagery of winding currents, marshy banks, and the clever, adaptable nature required to hunt there. It speaks to the breed's intelligence and its innate understanding of a complex, water-rich environment.

Named for the Fox River in Wisconsin, a key waterway in the region where the American Water Spaniel was developed during the 19th century for waterfowl hunting.[1, 5]

A name that honors Thomas Brogdan of Rush Lake, Wisconsin, one of the key figures who worked alongside John Scofield to gain AKC recognition for the breed in 1940.[1] This name represents the second critical phase of the breed's history: the transition from a regional hunting dog to a nationally recognized purebred. 'Rush Lake' symbolizes collaboration, foresight, and the effort required to secure a breed's future beyond its original sphere of influence.

Named in reference to Rush Lake, Wisconsin, the home of Thomas Brogdan, who was instrumental in securing American Kennel Club recognition for the American Water Spaniel in 1940.[1]

Loam is a type of fertile soil, rich with organic matter, typically dark in color. This name is a powerful, earthy metaphor for the American Water Spaniel. It perfectly evokes the deep, rich liver, brown, or chocolate color of the dog's coat.[11] More than just color, it suggests a connection to the very substance of the riverbanks and marshlands—the wet, life-giving earth. It portrays the dog as a grounded, fundamental part of its native landscape, as essential and natural as the soil itself.

From Old English 'lām', meaning 'clay, mud, earth'. It refers to a fertile soil of clay and sand containing humus.

This name refers to the small, flat-bottomed boat that was the primary working platform for the 19th-century hunters who developed the AWS.[1, 13] The breed was specifically designed to be compact enough to work from a skiff without capsizing it.[7, 14] The name 'Skiff' therefore encapsulates the breed's core design principle: a perfect balance of size, power, and stability. It symbolizes the intimate partnership between hunter and dog in the close confines of a small boat.

From the Middle French 'esquif', meaning 'a small boat'. A skiff is typically a small, open boat, often used for fishing or as a tender, and was the vessel from which the AWS was bred to hunt.[13]

This name captures the dynamic force of the water that is the AWS's natural element. A current is a body of water moving in a definite direction, a perfect metaphor for the breed's purposeful energy and drive. It speaks to the dog's strength in swimming against the flow to make a retrieve and its unwavering determination in the field.[9] 'Current' suggests a living, powerful force that is both predictable in its direction and unstoppable in its momentum.

From the Latin 'currere', meaning 'to run'. It describes the flow of a river or other body of water, or the flow of electricity.

The term 'biddable' describes a dog that is willing to listen and take direction, a hallmark of a great working partner. While the AWS is eager to please, its intelligence can sometimes be mistaken for stubbornness; it gets bored with pointless repetition.[14] This name explores that nuance. A biddable AWS is not a mindless automaton but an intelligent partner who willingly collaborates once it understands the 'game'. The name celebrates this cooperative spirit, which is built on trust and mutual respect.

From the Old English 'biddan', 'to ask, command'. It means 'docile and obedient; easily led or commanded'.

A covey is a small flock of birds, particularly partridges or quail. While the AWS is a renowned waterfowl retriever, it is also a superb upland flushing dog, used for hunting ruffed grouse and prairie chicken.[1, 9] This name specifically honors its upland capabilities, evoking the sudden, explosive flush of a hidden flock. It also carries a secondary meaning of a small, close-knit group, reflecting the breed's tendency to be a 'one-family dog' that bonds deeply with its pack.[1]

From the Old French 'covée', meaning 'a brood of birds', from 'cover', 'to hatch'. It refers to a small flock of game birds.

A cache is a collection of items stored in a hidden or inaccessible place. This name is a beautiful metaphor for the act of retrieving. The downed bird is a hidden treasure, a 'cache' that only the dog, with its keen nose and determination, can find and bring back. The name also alludes to the breed's own status as a hidden gem—a rare and valuable dog, a 'cache' of genetic history and hunting talent known only to a dedicated few.[3, 7]

From the French 'cacher', meaning 'to hide'. It refers to a hiding place for storing provisions or treasure.

A thwart is a structural crosspiece in a boat, a seat that braces the sides and provides support. This name is a metaphor for the American Water Spaniel's role as a connecting and supporting element. The dog is the link between the hunter and the game, bridging the gap between land and water. 'Thwart' suggests a creature that provides essential structure and support to the entire hunting enterprise, a reliable brace that holds everything together.

From Old English 'thweort', meaning 'transverse, across'. A thwart is a seat or structural crosspiece running from side to side in a boat.