Wisconsin Heritage Names for American Water Spaniel

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 very 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]

A name that ties the dog to the larger ecosystem of its birth, referencing Lake Winnebago, a massive freshwater lake fed by the Fox and Wolf Rivers where the breed was developed.[4, 5] It speaks of vast, cold waters and the challenging environment that shaped this dog. The name carries the weight of the Great Lakes region, a landscape that demanded a compact, hardy, and versatile water dog capable of handling icy temperatures and working from small skiffs.[1, 6]

From the name of Lake Winnebago in Wisconsin, which itself is derived from the name given to the Ho-Chunk Native American tribe by neighboring Algonquian peoples. The rivers where the AWS was developed feed this lake.[4]

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 perfectly captures the essence of a dog bred to navigate those very currents, a creature as much 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]

While the AWS is the state dog of Wisconsin, 'Badger' is the state animal and a nickname for the state itself.[8] This name creates a powerful symbolic link, positioning the dog as the ultimate Wisconsinite. The badger is known for its tenacity, strength, and ruggedness—qualities mirrored in the AWS's determined hunting style and ability to handle punishing cover.[9] It’s a name that speaks of a deep-rooted, hardworking, and resilient character, emblematic of the 'rugged people' who developed this 'rugged dog'.[3]

Refers to the American badger, the state animal of Wisconsin. The state's nickname, 'The Badger State,' originated with lead miners in the 1820s who dug tunnels for shelter, resembling badgers.[8]

This name honors the very first American Water Spaniel registered with the United Kennel Club in 1920, a dog belonging to Dr. Fred J. Pfeifer himself.[1, 4] It is the foundation name, representing the moment the 'little brown dog' of the Wisconsin river valleys was formally recognized as a distinct breed. 'Curly Pfeifer' is a name that carries the full weight of the breed's official history, symbolizing the culmination of decades of development and the beginning of its journey toward preservation.

The registered name of the first American Water Spaniel recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1920, owned by Dr. F.J. Pfeifer. 'Curly' describes the coat, and 'Pfeifer' is the owner's surname.[1, 4]

A name that directly ties the dog to its cradle of development, the Fox River Valley in Wisconsin.[5, 7] Alongside the Wolf River, this waterway was the primary theater of operations for the 19th-century hunters who required this specific type of dog. The name 'Fox River' evokes imagery of winding currents, marshy banks, and the clever, adaptable nature required to hunt there. It speaks to the breed's intelligence and its innate understanding of a complex, water-rich environment.

Named for the Fox River in Wisconsin, a key waterway in the region where the American Water Spaniel was developed during the 19th century for waterfowl hunting.[1, 5]

This name refers to Waupaca County, the specific Wisconsin county where the town of New London is located.[2] It offers a more subtle and unique geographical anchor than the town or rivers themselves. The name, of Native American origin, adds a layer of deeper history, acknowledging the land's heritage long before European settlement. It suggests a dog that is not just a product of 19th-century hunters, but is tied to the ancient soul of the land itself.

The name of a county in Wisconsin, home to New London. The name is believed to be derived from a Menominee or Potawatomi term, possibly meaning 'white sand bottom' or 'looking on.'.[2]

A name that honors Thomas Brogdan of Rush Lake, Wisconsin, one of the key figures who worked alongside John Scofield to gain AKC recognition for the breed in 1940.[1] This name represents the second critical phase of the breed's history: the transition from a regional hunting dog to a nationally recognized purebred. 'Rush Lake' symbolizes collaboration, foresight, and the effort required to secure a breed's future beyond its original sphere of influence.

Named in reference to Rush Lake, Wisconsin, the home of Thomas Brogdan, who was instrumental in securing American Kennel Club recognition for the American Water Spaniel in 1940.[1]

Like 'Pfeifer', this name is a direct homage to a key historical figure, Thomas Brogdan, who played a vital role in the breed's journey to AKC recognition.[1] While Pfeifer saved the breed from extinction, Brogdan helped elevate it to the national stage. The name 'Brogdan' signifies the importance of advocacy and the formal structures that ensure a breed's standards and lineage are maintained. It represents the crucial step of codification and official acceptance.

The surname of Thomas Brogdan of Rush Lake, Wisconsin. He was a key collaborator in the effort to have the American Water Spaniel officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1940.[1]