Dragons are not reptiles. Quite in fact, they are in their own classification as dracoforms. (Of course, this is Shadowrun/Earthdawn I'm quoting here) There are effectively 4 varieties of dragons. Western Dragons, Eastern Dragons, Feathered Serpents and Aquatic. Each dragon has an elemental designation. Western Dragons resemble the classic reptilian form that we are all familiar with;these are the earth dragons. Eastern Dragons appear as long snake-like creatures with fur. Specifically, they appear as dragons do in Oriental culture. These are air dragons. Feathered Serpents appear as dragons do in South American culture. Great winged serpents with feathers. These are Fire Dragons. The final and most secluded variety are Aquatic dragons that look much like an underwater mammal. Smooth skin, no scales, and so on. These are obviously water dragons.
All dragons posess an innate form of telepathy that allows them to "talk" to anything sentient. Since dragons do not possess the facial movements and muscles to allow vocalization of words this ability is used to make up for it.
Dragons are dual-natured. That is to say, they exist in a magical ether-realm (astral space) at the same time as they exist on the physical plane. This dual nature makes them natural spell casters and simultaneously vulnerable to pollution and corruption of the ether and attacks by ethereal creatures and forces.