If you want your character to have a pet dog in the game, then head over to an area known as Scrapyard, which is northeast from Megaton, just over the river. The dog is automatically named Dogmeat, and you can get him at any time, whether it\'s early in the game or otherwise. The dog can attack enemies endlessly and cannot die.

An amendment from druidfire1: Dogmeat can die. Keep him healed using Stimpaks! Once he\'s dead, he\'s dead for good.