The wheel can be either forward of the cg or after of the cg.

In
the latter case a skid is required under the cockpit. This is used in
many sailplanes.

The third wheel when located at the rear is known as tricycle tail wheel
configuration. This arrangement is popular even today for small piston
engine aircraft for it's simplicity, better propeller to ground clearance
and for short landing and take off .(DC-3, Beech Staggerwing)
The third wheel is located at the front of the aeroplane.This is the most
widely used application by larger jet airliners today for many of it's
advantages like better visibility and easier taxiing capability for pilot.
(Boeing 747,F-14)
Quadricycle landing gear uses four gears like cars. Two in the front and two at
the back closer to CG of the aircraft ,so that weight of the aircraft will be
almost equally distributed. Quadricycle gears are used on very heavy cargo or
bomber aircraft as they are very stable on ground and during taxiing.(B-52)
Bicycle gears are generally found on large bombers having narrow body and wide wing
span. It has two landing gears along the center line of the aircraft, one after and one
forward of the CG. The distance between two gears to aircraft CG is almost same so
they carry same load.(B-47, U-2)