I've never played through with dogmeat, but some people prefer him to Faux. Faux has a problem with being gigantic and always gets in the way when I'm using V.A.T.S, but he is able to use weapons such as gatling laser, minigun, etc... giving him ranged weaponery at his disposition, as opposed to dogmeat who is melee only.

Do you mean Fawkes? If so he's pretty tough and can come up with some amusing comments.

I work alone however, so ditched him outside Raven Rock.

You mean Fawkes, the Super Mutant?

Dogmeat gets quite strong if you level him with you. In fact, end game, he is almost unkillable. I use a mod that makes Followers and Caravaners Essential so I don't have to worry about it. If your not able to mod, then there is a Perk that will replace Dogmeat, but the chances of him dying once you are the level you get that Perk is nill.

I am using Charon right now. I have never played this game with followers until this time around. It's a bit different.