A friend of mine that wants to get into the game noticed the Tabaxi and asked if there was a canine species.  I said no until I remembered that Rich Redman published a race of canines called Laika in a free-to-download Web Enhancement back in 2003 for Savage Species, illustrating a way to use the book to home brew playable races and make them balanced.  Looking at his notes and the thought processes, I decided to try to update the Laika for 5E; feel free to take a look and critique!

You can see the Homebrew page here:  https://www.dndbeyond.com/races/159636-laika

Laika Race Details

My initial reaction is that Pack Tactics is going to be super overpowered for a PC race.

Part of the reason why a dog/wolf would have pack tactics is that all of them have the same tactics. It's not the same if I'm fighting alongside the dog and I don't know how to fight the same way. I won't feint when the dog expects me to, etc. 

But really, you're effectively getting advantage the majority of times you go into melee, aren't you?

That's fair.  I included it because I saw that Kobolds had it (literally copied and pasted from their entry), so I didn't think it would be that bad to give it to a species based off a pack animal.  Do you think it's something that could be tuned down or should I just remove it altogether?

EDIT:  What if I were to change it to say something akin to, "once per round as a reaction, a Laika can give advantage to an ally against a target that both the ally and the Laika are within 5 ft of so long as neither the Laika or the ally are incapacitated,"?

Looks good. I agree with Brotherbock about Pack Tactics (I once transformed a player into a Kobold and got to see it be used repeatadley in combat.) I would say its better to be an avoided mechanic for PC characters, especially if one of the players wants to be a rogue. 

I like your idea of giving the player some reaction-based ability to give a similar, but limited, effect. If not that, I am sure there are other unique Actions to canine creatures in the Monster Manual that could be adapted to a player skill (although I am not sure of any off the top of my head). 

@Brotherbock - Thanks for your input, by the way.  I apologize for the delay, I forgot my manners.  :(

@Kaboom979 - I didn't even think to look at monster canines, that's a great idea!  Thank you for your input.  ^ ^  I'll apply the adjusted Pack Tactics for now.

No worries :) I'm hurried right now, but I'm wondering whether the giving advantage would be better as a reaction or as a bonus action. Typically reactions are reactions to something someone else does, whereas a bonus action is more often something you generate independently. I like the idea of having to give up something to trigger it, just not sure which would be better. I think I'd lean towards Bonus Action, but I'd want some other opinions from folks here about that.

I like it better for balance and for explanation than the Laika being the one that gets the advantage. If I'm the ally, I don't know so well how to create openings for you, but I would be better at seeing openings you create.

Keen smell is fine, but the pseudo blindsight is a bit strong for a race feature, if you ask me.

@Brotherbock - Fair enough!  I can see the logic in that, I like the idea of changing it to a bonus action - it makes sense.  ^ ^  Thank you for your input.

@DxJxC - Yeah, I thought as much.  I'm going to be doing some research and see what other established canines have as far as abilities go to see what I can put in place of that, unless you have ideas on how to rectify it?  Either way. I appreciate your input, thank you.  ^ ^

Updated!

Now that I think I have the mechanics down, I've started trying to flesh out some ideas for the Laika entry to make them more appealing (and looking for pictures, but I'm wary of just pulling random images from the internet).  Here's what I have so far - if it's confusing or you have suggestions, please feel free to critique!

Call of the Wild

     The first time a person sees a Laika, they might mistake them for a werewolf.  Laika resemble wild canines with its body is covered with silver, white, black, brown, or reddish fur, and its eyes are blue, yellow, or brown.  A laika has a pronounced muzzle, triangular ears set high on its head, and a fur-covered tail. Due to their uncanny resemblance, it’s no wonder Laika are often called “Dogfolk” or “Wolfkin”.

Stalwart Nomads

     Laika clans are known to move about several times within their lifetimes and are capable of enduring some of the harshest climates, from scorching deserts to frozen tundras.  While a majority are happy living with the pack, there are those that hear the tales of excitement that comes with the life of an adventurer and seek it out for themselves - this usually requires some kind of push, though.  Rarely does a Laika decide spur of the moment to just leave their clan.
    Maybe a traveler stopped by the Laika encampment, weaved a few stories of his own adventure, and one of the Laika decided to follow them?  Others may have been recruited out of a sense of duty - perhaps a stranger saved them from a group of malcontents or an avalanche and the Laika feels a need to repay them?  Whatever the reason, Laika that decide to live on the road of adventure find it quite suitable to their natural tendencies.
     Laika are noted as being very trustworthy and capable companions.  Very rarely will they do something to upset one of their packmates on purpose and can be quite sensitive and empathic when they do.  And anyone who threatens the wellbeing of a member pack invites the wrath of the Laika.

A Pack of Their Own

     Laika usually organize into two major distinctive groups - Clans and Packs.  Direct relatives usually are what encompass a Pack, while a Clan is a collection of Packs that travel together - usually for the protection of the entire clan.  While Packs aren’t typically identified by a name, Clans accept names based on the original founder (Example: If the clan founder was named Grigori, the clan as well would be called Clan Grigori).
     Laika are social creatures, practically living with their families for the entirety of their lives before setting out on the road.  Because of this, Laika constantly have a need to find something similar to the family unit they left behind - a Laika that can’t trust their compatriots will likely not last long in the group and it could take years before a Laika decides to invite their traveling companions into their pack.

Buried in Tradition

     A Laika’s name consists of three parts - Given/Chosen Name, Lineage Name, and Clan Name.  A Laika’s first name transitions as they age - while they receive one in youth, when a Laike becomes an adult, tradition allows them to choose their own name as a coming of age.  Given names are typically taken from the area and races around them and it’s very common for children to be named after a person, place, or thing that the parents enjoy or adore, while Chosen names can be anything the Laika desires.  Adolescents may even insist on being called several different names as they grow up to ‘try out’ different names and see what sticks. A Laika’s Lineage name is derived either from their father’s name, mother’s name, or a combination of the two.  Clan names are used in place of Surnames. To prevent confusion, Clan Founders are never referred to by their clan name but instead simply as “Clan Leader”. On the occasion where a Laika accepts a guild or organization as their ‘clan’ they will often use the Guild’s Name as their Clan Name.  (For example, if Marco was the son of Frederick and Valentina in the Grigori Clan his full name might be something like “Marco Frelin of Clan Grigori”).
     It is very rare, but if a Laika is ever cast out or ostracized from their clan they are stripped of their Clan Name and given nothing in return.  In severe situations a Laika may even have their Lineage name revoked. To be stripped of both is damning and may cause a lot of anguish to everyone involved - it is not a punishment to be taken lightly.  On the other hand, a Laika may forsake their names themselves if the Clan is known for something evil or if their Clan members are being hunted down as a means of protecting themselves; even then, it is not an easy decision.