It's not a huge change, if you look at the origins.
OD&D, 1970s. Kobold are "weaker cousins" to goblins, mystical little buggers that live in forests and attack you.
AD&D, early 1980s. Kobolds are "dog-like" relations to goblins, now with divine hatred for gnomes.
AD&D 2E, late 1980s. Kobolds...