Homebrew Dog Species Details

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 their minds. 

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 adoptive society, taking on a new job, but behaving in much the same way and with much the same group of friends, although new ones are always welcome! A dog's sense of home is usually defined by the company around them rather than a place, and dogs are comfortable traveling widely as long as they have the constancy of friendship. 

Dogs gifted with unusual intelligence seek adventure for many reasons. Their instinctive urge to support and assist, coupled with the ability to reflect on the world in deep terms can be more than enough to lead a dog from the warmth of a home into the wider world. 

Dog Traits

All dogs begin with the following traits,

Ability score increase

Your Charisma score increases by 1.

Languages

You can speak and read Common, Canine, and one other language of your choice. Canine is a special language known only to dogs and the very few taught its subtleties. It relies on a combination of bark, scent, and gesture. 

Keen Senses

Dogs have advantage on Perception checks based on smell or hearing and disadvantage on Perception checks which depend on color recognition. 

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 1d6 + your Strength modifier damage. This increases to 1d8 + your Strength modifier at level 5, and 1d10 + your Strength modifier at level 10.