Knot Name for American Water Spaniel

This name is taken directly from the official breed standard, which describes the AWS's coat as ranging from 'marcel (uniform waves) to closely curled'.[11, 13] A 'marcel wave' was a popular women's hairstyle of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, created with a hot iron. The name therefore connects the dog's appearance to the very era of its development. It suggests a classic, timeless beauty—a natural elegance that has remained unchanged for over a century.

Named after Marcel Grateau, a 19th-century French hairdresser who invented the 'Marcel wave' hairstyle. The term is used in the AWS breed standard to describe a coat with uniform waves.[11]

A frieze is a coarse woolen cloth with a nap on one side, known for its warmth and durability. This name is a textural metaphor for the AWS's dense, curly, and protective double coat. It speaks to the functional quality of the fur—its ability to provide insulation against icy water and punishing cover.[11] 'Frieze' also alludes to the decorative, sculptural bands in architecture, suggesting that the dog's curly coat is a form of natural, repeating ornamentation.

From Middle English 'frise', likely from the Dutch province of Friesland, known for this type of cloth. It refers to a heavy, napped woolen fabric.

A whorl is a circular or spiral pattern, like a fingerprint or the arrangement of petals on a flower. This name is a beautiful and specific description of the tight curls on an AWS's coat. It moves beyond the general term 'curly' to focus on the unique, individual patterns the fur creates. 'Whorl' suggests that each curl is a unique mark of identity, a small, perfect spiral of natural design. It celebrates the intricate and personal details of the dog's appearance.

From Middle English 'whorle', related to 'whirl'. It refers to a circular arrangement of similar parts around a point or axis.

The breed standard for the American Water Spaniel describes its tail as being 'curved in a rocker fashion'.[11, 13] This name is a direct and joyful celebration of that unique physical trait. A rocker implies a smooth, rhythmic, and balanced motion. The name captures not just the shape of the tail, but the lively, happy gait of the dog itself. It suggests a creature with a buoyant spirit and a well-balanced, symmetrical structure.

Refers to the shape of a rocking chair's leg or a rocking horse. The term is used in the AWS breed standard to describe the characteristic curve of the tail.[11]

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.

Umber is another natural brown earth pigment, darker and less red than sienna. It is known for creating deep, rich shadows in paintings. This name captures the darker, more mysterious shades of the AWS's coat—the deep chocolate and dark liver colors.[11] 'Umber' suggests a dog with depth and substance, a creature that is at home in the shadows of the forest and the murky depths of the water. It evokes a sense of quiet, powerful presence.

From 'terra d'ombra', Italian for 'earth of Umbria', the region in Italy where it was originally extracted. It is a natural brown or reddish-brown earth pigment.

A cipher is a secret code or a person of a mysterious or puzzling nature. This name delves into the complex psychology of the American Water Spaniel. It is a dog of seeming contradictions: friendly with family but reserved with strangers [9]; eager to please but with a stubborn, independent streak [10, 14]; a hardworking hunter that is also a sensitive companion.[20] 'Cipher' celebrates this intricate personality, suggesting a dog whose true depths are known only to its trusted owner.

From the Arabic 'sifr', meaning 'zero' or 'empty'. It came to mean a secret way of writing, or a person or thing of a mysterious nature.

Resolve is firm determination to do something. This name speaks to the unwavering focus of an AWS on a retrieve. Once sent, their determination to find and return with the bird is absolute.[9] 'Resolve' captures that single-minded purpose, the mental fortitude that allows them to ignore distractions and overcome obstacles. It is a name that describes not just a fleeting emotion, but a deep, settled state of character—a fundamental quality of a great hunting dog.

From the Latin 'resolvere', meaning 'to loosen, release, or explain'. It has evolved to mean 'to decide firmly on a course of action'.