Whorl 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]

This name refers to the tight curls and dense texture of the AWS's coat, which can form 'knots' if not groomed. But it's also a metaphor for the dog's character. A knot is a complex fastening, a symbol of strength, security, and intricacy. The name 'Knot' speaks to the breed's solidly built, muscular body and its complex, intelligent mind. It suggests a creature that is both physically tough and mentally intricate, a puzzle of stubbornness and loyalty that binds it securely to its owner.

From Old English 'cnotta'. A knot is a fastening made by looping a piece of string, rope, or something similar on itself and tightening it.

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.

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]

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.

The Barbet is an old French water dog breed, considered an ancestor to the Poodle and other water dogs. The Poodle is another breed thought to be in the AWS's background.[6] The name 'Barbet' comes from the French word for 'beard' ('barbe'). This name reaches even deeper into the history of European water dogs, acknowledging the ancient lineage of curly-coated, water-loving breeds from which the AWS ultimately descends. It speaks to a shared, ancient purpose.

The name of a French water dog breed, from the French 'barbe', meaning 'beard'. The Barbet is an ancestor of many modern water dog breeds.

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]