In choosing anything for 'survival', your first question must be 'what do I intend to survive?' If I was drowning at sea a big Newfoundland definitly.But if I was duplicating a life or death sled run on Iditarod lines, a member of the sled dog family would get the nod. A dog may either help,or hinder safety around large animals. the Iditarod participants greatest fear is from aggressive Moose,not bear! Coyote attacks are extremely rare, but they commonly take dogs. You may very well have to protect old spot. You will want to consider the needs of your companion. Hiking booties, a small pack for his needs and a multi tool to pull out porcupine quills,thorns,ticks etc. We would all love a Rinn Tin tin with an Altoid tin hanging from his collar!<br><br>