Homebrew Dog Species Details

Loyal And True 

Dogs are naturally loyal to those they consider part of their pack. Dog companions are excellent guards and amazing hunters - so they've been trusted companions for millennia. Whether they have been at the side of a half-orc ranger, calmly stalking a moose, or helping an elven wizard select the right herb for a magical brew, dogs have always been there to help. It's in their nature. While they can be ferocious fighters when cornered, dogs are usually kindly creatures. They are fiercely protective and devoted to helping those they have chosen as their kin. That's the big thing about dogs; they choose who they love very quickly and it takes an awful lot to change to their minds.

Who's a Good Dog?

Dogs have the capacity to make their homes almost anywhere they choose, but the most common places they are found is within the settlements of other races, acting in a wide range of roles. A dog who has been awakened tends to remain closely linked with their adopted society, taking on a new job but behaving in much the same way and with much the same group of friends. A dog's sense of home is usually defined by the company around them rather than a place, and dogs are comfortable travelling widely as long as they have the constancy of friendship.

Learned Ability

Often a dog who has spent quite a while with an owner will pick up on things. Whether it be fighting styles, spells, or knowledge. Who's to say a dog can't be a wizard if they know the spell? It takes a special sort of canine to wield magic or a weapon, but who's to say they cant?

Dog Traits

Traits both given and aquired

Many Breeds Many forms

Dogs are highly diverse. Choose one of the following subraces to reflect your chosen breeding and select one breed ability from the list below. You may only choose one such ability.

Age

Dogs reach maturity around 1.5 Years and usually live between 10 and 15 years.

Size

Dogs vary in height, length and weight enormously. Your size is dependent on your subrace.

Language

You can speak and read Common, Canine, Beast Speech, and one other language of your choice. Canine is a special language known only to canines such as dogs, foxes, wolves, coyotes, etc.

Keen Senses

Dogs have the options to sniff, listen, and look. These depend on WIS and INT stats. Using WIS to sniff, listen, and look, and INT to understand what they are sensing. 

Worse than the Bark

You have a natural Bite attack. You are proficient with this attack and it counts as both a weapon attack and an unarmed attack. This attack does 1d8 + your strength modifier damage.

Skill time decrease

Time required to learn a new skill is decreased by half. 

Curious Senses

Dogs have a natural proficiency in Investigation with advantage.