These animals are fairly magic resistant and as such root and charm are often resisted or break quickly. They can range as low as 53 at least as I landed a Call of Karana on one. They do not appear to wield weapons.
I would not rely on one as a pet without some heavy MR debuffing but if you're desperate to take down a rare mob like a rabid chokidai as a solo druid this is the way to go.