Sorrel 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.

Russet is a dark brown color with a reddish-orange tinge, often associated with autumn leaves and rustic simplicity. This name beautifully captures the warm, earthy tones of the AWS's coat, especially in the fall sunlight. It evokes a sense of the changing seasons and the peak of the hunting season. 'Russet' suggests a dog that is perfectly camouflaged and at home in the autumn landscape, a creature whose color is in perfect harmony with the natural world.

From the Old French 'rousset', a diminutive of 'rous', meaning 'reddish'. It refers to a reddish-brown color.

This name directly references one of the two primary river valleys—the Fox and Wolf Rivers—where the American Water Spaniel was first developed.[5, 7] It is a name steeped in the wild, untamed spirit of 19th-century Wisconsin. 'Wolf River' suggests not just a place, but an active, flowing force of nature that is both beautiful and demanding. It captures the essence of a dog bred to navigate those currents, a creature as a part of that river system as the fish and fowl.

Named for the Wolf River, a tributary of the Fox River in Wisconsin. This river valley is the documented region where the American Water Spaniel breed originated in the 19th century.[1, 5]

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'.

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.

A simple, direct, and powerful name that defines the breed's primary hunting ground. The AWS was bred to work in the icy waters and marshy banks of Wisconsin.[10] A marsh is a wetland dominated by herbaceous plants like cattails and rushes, a challenging environment of mud, water, and dense cover. The name 'Marsh' grounds the dog in this specific biome, celebrating its ability to thrive in a landscape that would deter other breeds. It is a name of place and of purpose.

From Old English 'mersc', meaning 'a tract of low, wet land'. A marsh is a type of wetland ecosystem, the natural working environment of the American Water Spaniel.