I like to add a bit of variation to RPG fights, if possible and pets are a great way to do so. When talking about pets, especially combat pets, dogs come to mind immediately. Whether they accompany a city watchman or a bandit, you can always make great use of them.
I started to look around for some nice dog minis and found what I was looking for at Atlantis Miniatures who have a great set of five “War Dogs” as they call them. Painted up two of those and might come back to the other three later.