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'). Most are 10 to 16 lb (4.5 to 7.3 kg) and 8 1⁄2 to 11 1⁄2 in (22 to 29 cm), with the ideal being 9 to 10 1⁄2 in (23 to 27 cm) at the withers. These dogs become cold very easily so keeping their coat longer in winter time is essential, especially since these dogs originate from hot weather. Compared to some Havanese, breeders seek to give the Havana Silk longer, straighter forelegs, a flatter, silkier coat, a longer muzzle, and smaller ears.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.