Yes, it is. 12 is about the max. Some of course manage a bit longer. My opinion is if you’re past 10, you’re living on borrowed time.
My beloved previous GS fell apart suddenly at 11 and had to be put down. My sister’s GS also died either 11 or 12 (we babysat him his last week when they went away, with my young GS in residence too).
Thanks for the reply.
I was told once that smaller dogs generally have a longer life span than larger breeds, although even my vet had never seen a 19 year old Shih Tzu, but never went into the details.
10 years is not long...