You may have heard of the Shih Tzu, a small toy-sighting dog native to China, and is named after its appearance resembles the ancient beauty Shih Tzu.

Shit Tzu has long, soft hair, round and prominent eyes, flat nose, and drooping ears.

They are docile, smart, loyal, and friendly, and are very popular pet dogs.

But do you know? Another feature of Shih Tzu is that they have a very long life span.

According to statistics, the average lifespan of the Shih Tzu is 12 to 16 years old, which is longer than that of other dog breeds.

Moreover, some Shih Tzu can even live to be over 20 years old, or even over 30 years old!

At present, the longest-lived dog in the world is a Shih Tzu, named "Xiao Hei". He is 34 years old this year, equivalent to 150 years old for humans!

So, why can the Shih Tzu live so long? What factors affect their lifespan? Let's uncover this mystery together!

First, the genes of Shih Tzu may be an important factor.

Scientists have discovered that there are some special variations in the genome of Shih Tzu, which may be related to their lifespan.

For example, some genes related to the immune system, blood clotting, and metabolism in the Shih Tzu's genome have mutated, which may help Shih Tzu fight against common diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes.

In addition, some genes related to anti-aging have mutated in the genome of Shih Tzu, which may delay the aging process of Shih Tzu and maintain their vitality and health.

Secondly, the diet and lifestyle of the Shih Tzu are also an important factor. The ancestors of Shih Tzu were Chinese rural dogs. Their diet was mainly composed of grains, vegetables, and a small amount of meat. This diet was very suitable for Shih Tzu's digestive system and also provided the nutrients they needed.

Moreover, the ancestors of Shih Tzu often exercised their physical and mental health.

Therefore, if you want to make Shih Tzu live longer, you should provide them with a proper diet and sufficient exercise to avoid over-obese or lack of exercise.

Finally, the care and care of the owner of the Shih Tzu are also an important factor.

Shih Tzu is a dog breed that relies heavily on humans and requires the company, attention, and encouragement of their owners.

If Shih Tzu feels the love of their owners, they will be happier, confident, and at ease. These emotions have a great impact on the health and lifespan of Shih Tzu.

Therefore, if you want to make Shih Tzu live longer, you need to spend more time interacting, playing, and communicating with them so that they can feel your love.