Umber Curls Names 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]

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

A whorl is a circular or spiral pattern, like a fingerprint or the arrangement of petals on a flower. This name is a beautiful and specific description of the tight curls on an AWS's coat. It moves beyond the general term 'curly' to focus on the unique, individual patterns the fur creates. 'Whorl' suggests that each curl is a unique mark of identity, a small, perfect spiral of natural design. It celebrates the intricate and personal details of the dog's appearance.

From Middle English 'whorle', related to 'whirl'. It refers to a circular arrangement of similar parts around a point or axis.