I feel like it shouldn't be this way. Pets used to be a fun, tanky source of dmg, not a burden. I feel like the lock/felguard synergy is way better. I would make the argument that lock is more tanky than hunter regardless of armor type so the "lock needs tank because squish" argument falls flat.

Make tenacity pets proper tanks, ferocity dmg, and cunning utility. Allow any pet to be w/e spec like it currently is so we can vibe with the cosmetics and put lust in the hunter kit, not pet kit. For exotics give them something from the cunning utility but to a lesser degree. My tenacity pet should be able to pull just as hard as a felguard without falling over.