Grants Relentless & Grants Backstab are good for the pet, as 2 main ones.

Getting the drops from the Dutchman, the Prawn Master, and the Dinosaur that grant weapon power, critical chance, sneak attack, rouse and mighty charge are very useful as well early on. Beyond that the stuff from the auction how should be good early game. I recommend picking the squid as the way your parent's died, and grizzleheim or marleybone as the place you were raised.

Here is a few tips to start as a Buccaneer, buy a good gear that grants a lot of strength,armor and health. Usually I buy them in the Bazaar, with the class logo on the screen. That means it's an exclusive class,witch is in my opinion a better stat giving gear than standard gears. However they are rear and cost more gold.

I would either choose raised in Grizzleheim or raised in Moo Shu, for additional stats or improve it's low stats. Born though for a more defense built. Born warrior to boost the low speed like a speedy,warrior. I would not recommend the raised in Krokotopia, in my opinon that's for some privateers and almost for all witchdoctors.
However it's your character, choose as you please.

Secondary school skills, May I recommend some healing powers from the privateer class, walk in wind and the claw if wanted from the musketeer and most of the swashbuckler class skill class.Don't forget the melee hidden trainer for relentless and/or flanking skills.

For pets usually Buccaneer carries a pet shark like the thrasher shark from the crown shop and if you can afford the apex shark from the Pvp arena, ( say hi to the arena master when you enter. )Other pets works well also, don't forget to spar with Decuis to make them stronger in battles.