Gentle Spirit Shih-Tzu Swims and Plays With Duck Friends in Pond and It's Too Cute

Dogs are known for their happy natures and friendly personalities, especially when it comes to their favorite people. Some dogs are more open to strangers than others, but it's even more special when a pup develops a friendship with another animal.

Interspecies friendships may be few and far between, but their rarity only makes them more special. Plenty of pets get along with their fur siblings, of course, but some gentle-spirited dogs, like one TikTok user's adorable Shih-Tzu, even befriend wild animals. Just check out his priceless TikTok video from their summer trip to the pond!

The little dog looks perfectly content while swimming with his duck friends, but surprisingly, the ducks don't seem to mind having him there, either. Even the littlest members of the flock paddle right up to their furry friend, and it's clear as day that they've accepted him into their group.

Click here to watch the video.

That's too cute! This sweet little dog can't get enough of his feathered friends, and it looks like he's developed a particular fondness for the baby ducks. He's following them around the pond, but they seem to realize he's just playing. Isn't it cool how animals of different species can understand one another even though they may not communicate the same way?

Related: Video of Excited Labrador Going Out to Visit His Duck Friends in the Rain Is Full of Joy

Commenters like @nexusoftheuniverse are just as impressed as I am about "the fact that the ducks aren't fleeing the scene," especially when both hunting dogs and retriever dogs have been used to hunting ducks in the past. It's in their nature to fear dogs, but these birds know that this Shih-Tzu means no harm.

"How did this happen?" asked another viewer. While I'd like to think that this spontaneously happened one day, the real answer is even sweeter. They all grew up together! It's unclear whether these ducks belong to the dog's owner or if they're wild birds who are local to the area, but there's no doubt that they're long-time friends based on how comfortable they are with one another.

Water Safety For Dogs

This duck-loving dog has already mastered the doggy paddle, but dogs who know how to swim should be supervised while in the water. Dogs can get tired quickly while swimming, and small dogs like this friendly Shih-Tzu can be pushed or pulled along by the smallest current or wake. A properly fitted canine life jacket can help your dog keep their head above water, even if they get tired, but it won't necessarily help during accidents with rip currents or strong waves. Because of this, avoid letting your dog in the water if there's any risk of choppy water.

Dogs can also ingest water accidentally while swimming, especially if they open their mouth to fetch a toy floating in the water. It can be difficult to monitor your dog's water intake unless you see them licking or gulping, but limiting their swimming time and ensuring they have other water sources can help reduce the amount of natural water they ingest.

This duck dog doesn't have a care in the world when he's paddling in the pond, but his owner is always there to monitor and keep him safe. That way, all this pup has to worry about is playing with his duck friends!

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos.

Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.