If you were going into a hand to hand combat war where each person is allowed an animal

And this animal would be trained to your beck and call, which animal would you choose? The entirety of the planet is your choice. Nobody will have projectile weapons, just melee weapons and your animal companion at your side. For clarification, this animal would be trained to your full disposal with ease, such as simply pointing at an enemy and he would rip their throat out. No telepathic shite though.