I'm certainly not reading all the posts after this idea,so I'll just give you my,big opinion on this.Here it goes.:
YES!
LOVE IT!
Now here's a longer version to this:
I'm guessing you got the idea from The west game on fb.Or not.xD
It doesnt matter.
Your idea does somehow match with "the book"because in the old west,dogs did help farmers and cowboys.I'm not sure about wolfs though since they were hunted (and that's why today they're indangered)
But dogs were wild wolfes once,and they were tamed by the human.(in some way yes)
But dogs aren't the only animals mentioned in the history.You could also add birds,(don't know if thats by the book).They could add up with speed(they could "scout for ya"wich could provide sence of direction,and wich could result in more speed)
Though there will be some animal upgrades(for horses and other mounts).So I'm guessing when all of that is settled,if this passes you should certainly work on your idea more.
Its a big one,and you need to work everything out.
But just for now,I'm advicing you to focus on animals that will
only help in jobs,not duels or fort battles.As you mentioned,they could help in finding special items,ordinary ones and more.
I leave it up to you to do the work.Use your imagination.But if you want this idea to pass,please work it all up.
You have a yes here,on the poll(if passes to that stage)and 5 stars from meh.
Good luck!
p.s.-For any that want to oppose my opinion,
DON'T do that.I'm an animal lover,and if you have something against this idea,you better not be wearing anything made "from animals"!