Russet Name for American Water Spaniel

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.

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.

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.

Sorrel is a reddish-brown color, most often used to describe horses. This name is perfect for an American Water Spaniel whose brown coat has distinct reddish or liver-colored highlights. It connects the dog to the broader world of animal coloration and the specific language used to describe it. 'Sorrel' also refers to a common woodland plant, adding a second layer of natural, earthy meaning to the name.

From the Old French 'sor', referring to a reddish-brown color. The name is also used for several plant species of the genus Rumex, which often have reddish stems or flowers.

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]

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 is a direct tribute to Dr. Fred J. Pfeifer of New London, Wisconsin, the man singularly credited with saving the American Water Spaniel from extinction.[1, 2] It embodies a story of preservation and dedication, a recognition that the dog's existence is a legacy. 'Pfeifer' is not just a sound; it's a historical anchor, grounding the dog in the narrative of a passionate advocate who saw the breed's intrinsic worth when others had moved on to more specialized, foreign hunters after World War II.[1, 3]

A German surname meaning 'pipe-player' or 'fifer'. It honors Dr. Fred J. Pfeifer, the pivotal figure in the American Water Spaniel's history who established the breed standard and gained its initial kennel club recognition in 1920.[1, 4]

This name pinpoints the geographical heart of the breed, New London, Wisconsin, the town where Dr. Pfeifer established his kennels and where a historical marker designates the 'Birthplace of the American Water Spaniel'.[2, 3] It evokes a sense of small-town American ingenuity and rugged, unpretentious origins. The name suggests a dog developed not by aristocrats, but by practical farmers and hunters in the backyards of a Midwestern community, a symbol of grassroots creation.[3]

Named for the city of New London, Wisconsin, in Waupaca County. This location is historically recognized as the center of the breed's development and preservation efforts by Dr. F.J. Pfeifer.[2]