Shaghal

Shaghal were the canine, dog-like inhabitants of the planet Shale. They lived in relative isolation from the rest of the Galaxy for thousands of years, save for an isolated Jedi temple set up by Bith Jedi in about 1000 BBY. In the 200s BBY, human colonists decided to settle the planet and claim it for the Republic. The superior technology of the colonists, including droids, blasters and starfighters, proved too powerful for the Shaghal to stop. While they were able to fight more successfully during raids and guerrilla warfare, they were still eventually beaten. The Republic negotiated a peace treaty with them, which guaranteed them the same rights as other sentients. The conditions were that only a human could ever politically represent Shale in the Republic and that humans were the owners of the planet, rather than the Shaghal.

Speciesism on the part of humans grew, and eventually the Shaghal became like peasants, working all day for little pay to make life easier for humans. This all changed when Mesomelas, a Shaghal who had trained at the isolated Bith Jedi academy due to his force-sensitivity, traveled to the only city on Shale, also called Shale. He almost single-handedly brought down the entire human government on Shale with his Jedi skills.

After 50 BBY, the Republic broke its deals with the Shaghal and wrote new ones, ones which were much fairer to the Shaghal. Any native Shaler could represent the planet politically, and the Shaghal were considered the planet's owners. The Shaghal consented to allow other species to remain on their planet, and eventually a peaceful existance was achieved. This was shattered shortly after, as the Clone Wars broke out and Shale became an important battlefield. It remained allied with the Republic, and several armaments were devised which Shaghal could use with ease.

At the time of the Galactic Civil War, Shale tried to maintain a neutrality, but after the Rebels were allowed sanctuary, it was not long before many Shaghal sided with them and declared war on the Empire.