I remember I watched a gameplay video and Todd said something when asked this question and said something like "Well people did like Dogmeat in Fallout 3 so...", I don't know if it's been confirmed further, but I think that's good enough clarification.

I hope it's some awesome looking wolf and that it changes it's appearance over time or something e.g. growing larger when you level up or something.

I think its that massive shaggy dog in riverwood. Because theres a screenshot of the player with that dog

I'm pretty sure http://www.mlwgames.com/img/assets/skyrim_aug/skyrim_dog.jpg is the same dog seen in Riverwood.

Edit: I'm not the only one, evidently

We do get dog companions. :vaultboy:

They've confirmed a while ago that there are carious animal companions. Dogs and Wolves have been the only one's I've heard confirmed. Not to mention there is a staff that summons a phantom wolf and necrom ancy spells now can ressurrect just about any animal that dies (hopefull Mammoths as well), even chickens. Some NPC's will also have animal companions. Please dont ask for "source", it's 2:10 AM over here at the moment and I am far too tired (and laz) to go hunting for it. You'll just have to take my info in good faith or respectfully doubt me.

I'm not looking forward to another companion.

Dogmeat died so fast there was real no point.

My skinned hound in shivering isles died as well.

-.-

Hey cool pic I hadn't seen that before, looks great.

Already confirmed that its possible to get creatures as loyal companions.

You can only have 1 companion at a time however (I expect they will change this at the last minute). Also dont forget that its possible to summon temperary companions.

-KC

Well by the time I got Broken Steel (or some other DLC, don't really know) the dog became pretty much immortal, which i found quiet annoying too hehe.

I don't know if I'm gonna use companions, in Fallout 3 I just found them annoying and I always thought it was kinda stupid to have these opinionless people walking always behind you to copy what you do and to never talk to other people... just to unrealistic for me.

They could always do it like how it was in New Vegas, where companions were unkillable until you dismissed them.