ANATOMY

Detailed explanation-1: -Similarities Between Dogs and Wolves After all, the two species descend from a common ancestor. In fact the two species share 98.8% of the same DNA. They can even interbreed (although their offspring are typically not fertile). Dogs of similar size to a wolf share a similar life expectancy (12-14 years in captivity).

Detailed explanation-2: -Shih Tzus share more DNA with wolves than most other breeds. The only breed group with more shared wolf DNA is the Nordic spitz group (Huskies, Samoyeds, and Malamutes). The breed almost went extinct in the early 1900s after the death of Empress Tzu Hsi.

Detailed explanation-3: -Wolf dogs retain much of the instinctive behavior of their wild relatives. They are headstrong and aggressive, and they can be downright ferocious. Feeding these pets is also a challenge: they need pounds of raw meat per day.

Detailed explanation-4: -Wolves and dogs belong to the species, Canis lupus. They share more than 99 percent of their DNA, and while it doesn’t happen very often, they can technically interbreed, according to Dr. Hughes.