Most IDF dogs serve for 7 to 10 years, retiring between ages 8 and 11, and going on to live to about 12 to 14 years.
By Hezy Laing
In May 2026, the Knesset advanced the Retired K9 Medical Care Bill, a landmark initiative designed to provide government-funded veterinary assistance for retiring IDF Oketz service dogs.
The legislation, developed in cooperation with the Oketz Veterans Foundation, guarantees up to 5,000 shekels per year in medical support for handlers who adopt their former military dogs.
The bill emerged after years of testimony from combat handlers who struggled to cover medical expenses for dogs that had served in high‑risk missions across Gaza, Judea and Samaria, and the northern border.
Oketz dogs begin their military journey early, typically entering the unit’s selection process at around 18 months of age, chosen from breeds such as Belgian Malinois, Dutch Shepherds, and German Shepherds.
Their training pipeline lasts 8 to 10 months, during which they learn explosive detection, attack operations, building entry, tunnel navigation, tracking, and search‑and‑rescue techniques.
Explosive-detection dogs are trained to identify minute quantities of materials such as RDX, PETN, and TATP, and have been deployed in operations including Protective Edge, Shield and Arrow, and Northern Vigil.
Attack dogs are capable of pursuing armed suspects, subduing targets under live fire, and operating in dense urban environments where human soldiers face elevated risk.
Most Oketz dogs serve for 7 to 10 years, retiring between ages 8 and 11, depending on their physical condition and operational history.
With proper care, many live to 12 to 14 years, though by retirement they often suffer from hip dysplasia, ligament tears, dental deterioration, and stress‑related ailments.
Medical treatment for these conditions can cost handlers thousands of shekels annually, with orthopedic surgeries sometimes exceeding 12,000 shekels.
The bill’s sponsors, including MKs from the Internal Affairs and Environment Committee and Oketz veterans such as Lt. Col. (res.) Yaron Ben‑Ami, argued that soldiers who adopt their canine partners should not bear these costs alone.
Veterinary experts from Beit Dagan Veterinary Hospital provided data showing that more than 120 Oketz dogs are expected to retire between 2026 and 2028.
The Retired K9 Medical Care Bill marks Israel’s first quasi‑pension system for non‑human IDF veterans, recognizing the combat contributions of dogs who have saved lives and strengthening the bond between handlers and the animals who served beside them.
