Contraction of smooth muscle tissue involves interactions between active and passive structures within the cells and in the extracellular matrix. This study focused on a defined mechanical behavior (shortening-dependent stiffness) of canine tracheal smooth muscle tissues in order to evaluate active and passive contributions to tissue behavior. Two approaches were used. In one, mechanical measurements were made over a range of temperatures to identify those functions whose temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) identified them as either active or passive. Isotonic shortening velocity and rate of isometric force development had high Q₁₀ values (2.54 and 2.13, respectively); isometric stiffness showed Q₁₀'s near unity. The shape of the curve relating stiffness to isotonic shortening lengths was unchanged by temperature. In the other approach, muscle contractility was reduced by applying a sudden shortening step during the rise of isometric tension. Control contractions began with the muscle at the stepped length, so that properties were measured over comparable length ranges. Under isometric conditions, redeveloped isometric force was reduced, but the ratio between force and stiffness did not change. Under isotonic conditions beginning during force redevelopment at the stepped length, initial shortening velocity and the extent of shortening were reduced, while the rate of relaxation was increased. The shape of the curve relating stiffness to isotonic shortening lengths was unchanged despite the step-induced changes in muscle contractility. Both sets of findings were analyzed in the context of a quasi-structural model describing the shortening-dependent stiffness of lightly-loaded tracheal muscle strips.