Teal Name for American Water Spaniel

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 Gadwall is a common dabbling duck, more subtly colored than the mallard but prized by discerning hunters. This name, like 'Teal', connects the dog directly to its quarry. However, 'Gadwall' suggests something more understated and appreciated by the expert. It’s a name for a dog that is not flashy, but is a reliable, high-quality worker—a connoisseur's choice, much like the bird itself. It reflects the AWS's own status as a rare, unpretentious breed for those in the know.

Origin uncertain, but first recorded in the 17th century. The Gadwall is a common and widespread dabbling duck in the family Anatidae.

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.

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.

A decoy is an essential tool in waterfowl hunting, used to lure birds within range. While the dog is a retriever, not a lure, this name places it firmly within the constellation of essential hunting equipment. It suggests the dog is an indispensable part of the entire process, as vital to success as the decoys, the boat, and the gun. The name 'Decoy' evokes the quiet stillness of a duck blind before the action, a scene of patient partnership between the hunter and their tools.

From the Dutch 'de kooi', meaning 'the cage' or 'the trap'. It refers to a real or imitation bird or mammal, used by hunters to lure game.

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 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.

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'.