Mink Name for American Water Spaniel

The muskrat is a semi-aquatic rodent native to North American wetlands, known for building lodges in marshes and for its resilience.[21] The AWS would have shared its entire world with this creature. This name is a quirky, authentic, and deeply environmental choice. It grounds the dog in the everyday reality of the marsh, not just the dramatic moments of the hunt. 'Muskrat' suggests a creature that is an industrious, adaptable, and fundamental part of the wetland ecosystem.

A modification of the Algonquian (possibly Powhatan) 'muscascus'. The muskrat is a medium-sized semiaquatic rodent native to North America.

A rill is a small, shallow stream or brook. This name captures a quieter, more intimate aspect of the breed's connection to water. It moves away from the grand lakes and powerful rivers to the smaller tributaries and marshy trickles where a hunter's work is done. 'Rill' suggests a gentle but persistent current, a subtle and methodical approach. It reflects the AWS's intelligence and its ability to work thoughtfully and stay close to the gun, rather than just relying on brute force.[9]

Of Germanic origin, related to Middle Low German 'rille' and Dutch 'ril', meaning 'a small stream' or 'furrow'.

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.

Teal are small, fast-flying river ducks, a common quarry for the hunters who developed the American Water Spaniel. This name is a direct and specific link to the breed's primary function: waterfowl retrieval. It evokes the challenge of the hunt—the speed and agility of the bird, which requires an equally quick and agile dog. 'Teal' is a name that is steeped in the action and excitement of a day on the water, a tribute to the dog's purpose.

The common name for several species of small dabbling ducks in the genus Anas. The name is of Germanic origin.

The river otter is a master of the aquatic environment, a sleek, powerful, and playful swimmer that shares the same habitat as the AWS.[21] This name is a metaphor for the dog's own prowess in the water. It speaks to the AWS's strong swimming ability, its webbed feet, and its natural love for the water. 'Otter' also captures the breed's playful, intelligent, and sometimes mischievous nature, suggesting a creature that finds pure joy in its element.

From Old English 'otor'. The otter is a semiaquatic, carnivorous mammal in the weasel family, known for its playful behavior and skill in water.

The American Kestrel is North America's smallest falcon. It is known for its incredible speed, agility, and keen eyesight. This name is a metaphor for the American Water Spaniel's character as a hunter. Though a medium-sized dog, the AWS is quick, athletic, and possesses a sharp, focused intensity when on game.[9] 'Kestrel' suggests a compact but powerful hunter, a creature with a high prey drive and a remarkable ability to pinpoint its target.

From Old French 'crécerelle'. The kestrel is a small falcon that hovers with rapidly beating wings while searching for prey on the ground.

The Northern Pike is a large, predatory freshwater fish found in the lakes and rivers of Wisconsin, known for its explosive power and aggressive nature.[8, 16] This name is a metaphor for the American Water Spaniel's strength and drive in the water. It suggests a creature that is a powerful, determined force in its aquatic element. 'Pike' evokes a sense of raw, predatory instinct and a mastery of the underwater world.

A shortening of 'pike-fish', named for its long, pointed head, from Old English 'pīc', meaning 'a sharp point'.

The Ruffed Grouse is a classic upland game bird of the Wisconsin Northwoods, known for its explosive flush and cryptic camouflage.[1, 21] This name specifically celebrates the AWS's role as a versatile upland flushing dog, a key part of its 'all-around hunter' identity. 'Grouse' evokes the scent of pine needles, the crisp autumn air, and the thrill of a bird bursting from cover. It is a name that honors the dog's adaptability and its skill on land as well as water.

Origin uncertain, possibly from Old French 'grieche', 'a moorhen'. Grouse are a group of game birds from the order Galliformes, often found in temperate and subarctic regions.