My current is a Breton Mage specialising in Cinjuration and restoration. I am at level 16 or so and have a familiar, a flame atronach and a Dremora Catliff . Anyway with these summoned creatures I like to expand on them a little to make them seem more interesting. So I now have:
Shor- the Wolfspirit. Sturdy and loyal I often take him out for runs or hunting. Since I started out with Summon Familier he is one of my character's oldest friends.
Vulcus the flame Atronach. Quiet but deadly. She dosen't say very much, nothing at all but she is a fiercw fighter.
Krynn the Dremora. My characters 'knight in shining armour'. He is loyal and will do anything to protect his summoner.
Creating these mini characters does make Conjuring a lot more intetesting and gives my Breton a set ofcintersting companions that can be summoned when needed.

So does anyone else characterise thier summoned creatures?

No, but I might... that’s a good idea... wish my familiar could last longer than 60/120 seconds though...

Its a bound creature so its send back to oblivion when defeated or time runs out. Its simply a case of resummoning it

I know... but it would be nice if outside of combat it could last longer just for aesthetic reasons...

Meh I just keep resummoning. By the time it needs summoning the magickas been replenished