Fenrisian Wolf

Space Wolves giving a whole new meaning to 'doggy style'.

Fenrisian Wolves are the most common and iconic predator of Fenris. They are large canines, often reaching the size of a horse, and are considered one of the apex predators on the planet. They are also known as the eternal partners, love life, and yiff-companion of all Space Wolf Space Marines.

Overview

Fenrisian Wolves in battle act in the same vein as Kroot Hounds (a fitting comparison when you realize that Kroot hounds were once Kroot themselves, scouting and pursuing their prey before viciously maiming and ripping the helpless victim apart). Most Fenrisian Wolves are commanded by a single Space Wolf and usually come in packs of five. As a symbol of the Space Wolves' frozen homeworld, they are often befriended and trained by Space Wolves Battle Brothers. The wolves are loyal to their masters, whining if they are forced to stay behind off the frontline, or attacking with a gesture or a word. If a battle-brother falls the wolf will try to protect the body at all costs or drag him to safety. Sometimes a Fenrisian Wolf can be upgraded to a Cyber Wolf with enhanced speed and power.

The wolves are a point of conflict between many chapters and the Space Wolves, especially when they have to squeeze into a Rhino with one (because the damned viking furries can't leave their dogs behind) or suffer its panting during a tactical briefing.

Fenrisian Wolves aren't descendants of actual wolves, but are the fully-wolfified descendants of ancient human colonists of Fenris who added Wolf DNA into themselves to attempt to survive on Fenris better. Although fluff mere hinted at this and is made pretty vague, it wouldn't be surprising if it was true. So while they certainly adapted well, it cost them their sapience. Whether this technically makes them Abhumans or Mutants is unknown.