But to me the interesting thing about the wolfcarls is the institutionalization of the connection with the animal nature being dominant (or even just significant) rather than the human one.
Aah, I see. An interesting point. I can't think of another example either, although there may be some. The other big animale companion fantasy I can think of, the chronicle of the Cheysuli by Jennifer Robinson was definitly not like this either.

I've only read Dust.