Havanese (a bichon type dog) is the national dog of Cuba, developed from the now extinct Blanquito de la Habana ('little white dog of Havana'). The Blanquito descended from the also now-extinct Bichón Tenerife. It is believed that the Blanquito was eventually cross-bred with other bichon types, including the poodle, to create what is now known as the Havanese. Sometimes referred to as 'Havana Silk Dogs', this was originally another name for the Blanquito de la Habana. After 10 years of attempting to convince Havanese breeders to breed away from osteochondrodysplasia, many of the original leadership of the Havanese Club of America decided to leave the organization in order to create a breed that they feel more accurately represents the original dogs from Cuba.