All dogs are expressive creatures with their bark being the most notable form of communication. Your Shih Tzu communicates just like most other dogs in the sense that they operate under the same communication guidelines. To put it another way, no matter where you travel in the world, you can communicate with virtually any breed of dog in roughly the same way.
The same is true for all dogs, including Shih Tzus, as they can communicate with each other through sniffing, body language, and the like. The barking is generally an expression of how they feel at the moment. But most of the communication that happens between Shih Tzus is done through means other than barking. But this form of expression is important for other Shih Tzus to understand.
The Language of Barking
The bark of a Shih Tzu is similar in form compared to other dogs. This means that barking has a universal language that is shared around the world through all breeds of dogs.
Although as with any language there are different dialects depending on a number of factors. For the most part, barks or growls that are low-pitched are generally warnings and unfriendly. While higher-pitched barks and noises are friendly in nature. So, if your Shih Tzu is growling in a low-pitched tone, it is expressing aggression and trying to be perceived as more dangerous to ward off a possible threat.
While a higher-pitched bark or yip is open and friendly, allowing another Shih Tzu or anyone else to approach. An exception is a quick yelp that may indicate fear or surprise, such as if the dog is approached undetected. Of course, whimpering is usually associated with desire such as to be petted or more likely wanting some of the food on your plate.
For Shih Tzus, the tone and duration of the barking have meaning between them as well. Keep in mind that all breeds of domesticated dogs are associated with humans, so even strays will carry the same traits that they use in communicating with each other as well as humans.
Other Types of Expression
In addition to barking, there is growling which is meant to be a warning. This applies to Shih Tzus communicating with each other along with humans. The lower the growl, the more you should stay away.
Conversely, howling is relatively rare in domesticated dogs. The howl is a call to the pack, indicating that the dog may be lonely. This is particularly true if you only have one Shih Tzu in the home. However, howling is also associated with singing. So, if your Shih Tzu is happy, it may sing or howl in approval of what is happening.
Also, keep in mind that your Shih Tzu will learn and use different sounds to get your attention. A Shih Tzu does not bark unless there is a specific reason, so understanding why the dog is communicating with you will help resolve whatever issue they are having quickly. Just as a Shih Tzu learns from you, you can learn from your dog for better communication.
