Well I have heard of Dire Wolves from the TV series Game of Thrones, where these wolves were large and intelligent species and pets to the House Stark, however not dressed in armour! (but I may be barking up the wrong tree!)

Dire Wolf by CthulhuFX is a custom minifigure which is fully loaded with armour, weapons and a well battered shield. It’s well painted and looks pretty cool. I guess if you were to swap the head it could fit into a variety of themes.