>>96342717
I don't doubt that kobolds work hard, and certainly in 3.5 they would've wanted to emphasize their no-fun-allowed nature to differentiate them from goblins. But "duplicitous" and "prankstery" are not the same. Kobolds are indeed duplicitous - their favorite thing is literally building traps! And being even weaker than goblins, they definitely aren't going to have the bravado that dwarves do.

>>96342628
But IMO the best ally of dwarves, if humans aren't an option as a cop-out, would probably be Goliaths like >>96342706 says or, if this isn't DnD and they aren't a thing, probably gnomes. Not only similar in stature and appearance, gnomes traditionally dwell in hills and woods, and so would be able to live in the same area as dwarves without competing for space. And, being naturally gifted at magic but not being so industrious as dwarves, they'd have a lot to gain from cooperation. I don't go in for artificer style gnomes as much, but if you do include those, all the better that dwarves should have such a ready market for their metals and minerals.