species

The separation of species seems, in some ways, arbitrary. All living beings are born with unique mental makeups, species doesn't seem to mean much in terms of overall personality and inclinations. Being human doesn't necessitate civility and being an animal doesn't necessitate incivility. Being human doesn't necessitate higher intelligence and being an animal doesn't necessitate lower intelligence. There are humans and animals of every kind with greater and lesser degrees of intelligence within their own species and across others. There are some humans and animals that are more aggressive and others that are more relaxed. There are some humans and animals that are more rebellious and others that are more docile. There are some humans and animals that are more destructive and others that are more creative. There are some humans and animals that seem naturally preoccupied with status and power and others that are more disinterested. There are some humans and animals that are more social and others that are more solitary. There are some humans and animals that prioritize sex and reproduction and others that prioritize other things.

Species and breed may have an influence but they necessitate little in terms of overall mental makeup. That's unique to each individual. Until this becomes obvious, the division of species can essentially act like old-fashioned racism in the way it's assumed that all those of a certain race will be basically the same, whereas the truth is that each individual is unique despite having superficial similarities with others. It's just less obvious with animals because they can't use words or appearances to communicate their individuality in the ways that we do, so unless a lot of time is spent with them it's easy to miss. Otherwise it tends to be become obvious that they're basically people in the same ways we are.

If the outlooks and circumstances were different, the behaviors of animals would change too. Every region has various wild and domesticated animals that have learned to live alongside humans. This is always a possibility, even with the most ferocious predators. It just depends on how we treat and respond to them and the environment they're in.