When they said 'wolves are too popular', I think they meant in general, not on the game. x3 Because wolves really are, probably the most popular animal ever for games/RP's/characters.
Back onto the subject of the question, I vote for felines in general, I'm not all too fond of lions specific, kinda boring for me, I prefer the servals, ocelots, domestics, things like that. x3 So yes, felines.
Gotta admit though, I've taken a liking to the black and red skelo-marked canine char I made earlier x3;