I read somewhere that Basenjis do not like water, and was perfectly prepared to accept my puppy would not like getting her feet wet in the morning dew, and probably would never swim. But, it sprinkled out there the other evening, and she tried biting at the raindrops, kept putting her paws over her head one at a time to get it off of her head, and this brought a question to mind. Soon we will be having the long long rainy season in Florida. Do you think I am going to have a real problem taking her out to do her potty duties and get her exercise? Thanks for any info and anecdotes you may have.
Depends on the Basenji I guess.
I've had no issues with rain. My B just shakes it off every now and then. He tolerated the -20F temps this winter so I'd imagine he's fairly tolerable of rain as well.
Thanks, Kananga - maybe it was just because it was the first time she felt it. We can only hope. She's afraid of the dark still, so a dark, rainy night would be quite an event, if she doesn't get used to it.
My basenji Simba absolutley hate to rain, and refuses to go out if it is raining. If there are puddles on the ground he always walks around them never through them. I know all b's are diffrent, so hopefully ur b wont be a hater of the rain! 
Mine won't go out off leash when it's raining or looks like rain. I have to take them on leash out to the stream to potty. Go figure.
My 2 b adults are fine with the rain, they don't love it but they don't mind being in it as long as it isn't torrential…my 14wk b pup likes the rain best of the 3. They don't mind their feet getting wet so that makes everything easier.:D
My adults can "hold it" for many hours, will eventually go out back when they are about to burst.
It rarely rains all day long, and even then there are light periods. We run up to the dog park and toss them in, they will pee and poop in about 30 seconds then be ready to get back in the car (we are lucky, the dog park is only a mile from home). I can't drag them out on leash, they just put on the brakes and won't go.
In really bad weather, when it does rain all day, we drive up to a long highway overpass, get out and walk up and down as cars whiz by overhead. The dogs are pretty quick here, too!
Anne in Tampa
I forgot to add, you can hold an umbrella low over the pup, to keep the rain off the head, and she will probably go out to potty without any issues. Keep telling her what a good girl she is when she ignores the wet grass!
Mine won't go out off leash when it's raining or looks like rain. I have to take them on leash out to the stream to potty. Go figure.
Ditto. If mine didn't absolutely love leash walks, they'd never leave the house when its raining. Won't go out right after a rain either, or a heavy dew on the grass, or a recently watered lawn.
Katie isn't quite a bad as Ty, but she's still pretty particular.
I HATE RAINY SEASONS!!!
Oh my - seems from your replies that some B's are stalwart and will put up with the weather, but more do not like the rain at all. I can only hope her standing at the door occurs before or after the rainstorms! Otherwise, it will be doing like MacPack, driving to a dog park - although they are all much further from me, and tossing her into it. Maybe like my friend once said - first year or so, they drive you crazy - then, all of a sudden, miracle dog appears!
yes, when its raining, they will not get wet unless I get wet with them.
yes, when its raining, they will not get wet unless I get wet with them.
Yup… that is how a Basenji mind works!!!!
Typically if you walk you B when raining they will go…. but you have to go with them...gggg
yes, when its raining, they will not get wet unless I get wet with them.
Good point…if I were to leave my 3 to their own devices in the rain, Liyah (puppy) and Brando would do their business, Ruby, I have my doubts. I always go with them in the rain...walks or out in the open in the yard.
For the first couple of months of having Jazz live here, I got more wet trying to get her to go out in the rain to potty than she did, I swear. She's four now and on rainy days I STILL have to step out on the porch and insist she go potty. LOL
Keoki just gives a reluctant look and takes off to pee and get it over with. He's always had less a problem with it than Jazz.
But then, she IS a princess…... LOL.... or at least she thinks she is and rather expects to be treated like royalty. 
Keoki's just a regular guy and doesn't have any great expectations -- he just wants to be loved.
I recently spent 6 months in Florida with my 11 year old B. She hates the rain, but it just makes her go outside and do her business faster. I also have to coax her to go outside. I walk her in the rain though. It takes her a bit to accept that we are going on a walk. She looks at me like I'm crazy. Non the less we go outside. I did notice that she gained weight through the rainy season because of the dislike, so I watched her feedings more closly. Then comes the dry season and she's fine. Even in the pouring rain she walks around puddles. She will stand at the waters edge but not go in. I have seen them in the keys up to their tummies though. I guess it depends on the B.
or so Princess Basenji Sahara thinks, she hates the rain, but if I go out with her and hold the umbrella over her she will go, and fast at that. I have seen her hold it almost all day and I would go to the steps and she would go when she is about to burst, but most of the time she wants the umbrella. My neighbors look at me like I am crazy, but then they don't have the love of a Basenji, it is like no other dog.
@simba's_mom:
My basenji Simba absolutley hate to rain, and refuses to go out if it is raining. If there are puddles on the ground he always walks around them never through them. I know all b's are diffrent, so hopefully ur b wont be a hater of the rain!
This is exactly how Bella feels about rain!!!:eek:
Kananga must be part of the minority. He walks right through puddles, even when there's a clear path around them.
Mine have never liked the rain and would refuse to go outside at all – cajoling time.
