It is touted that the number one skill for any entrepreneur or business owner is the ability to sell. So which sales dog breed are you? Are you able to sell? Regardless of whether we’re in the industrial age or the e-commence era, there is one skill that everyone has to master - Sales! Why is this? This is because sales = income.
Yet, many people fail financially. Not because they do not have great ideas or even good work ethic. But typically because they:
- don’t know how to
- refuse to
- are afraid to
- don’t think it is important to know how to sell
Anybody can sell but only if you are trained properly. According to Blair Singer (Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad Sales Advisor), salespeople and dogs train the same way. Consider this;a dog comes up to you, drops a stick at your foot a hundred times, take any rejection in the world still drops the stick at your foot hoping that you’ll throw it for them.
Good training is also the sole reason why great dogs can hunt. Just like how great salespeople are able to size up their prospects, discern who is interested in buying and who is not, and close the deal successfully.
Based on this principle, Blair developed a unique profiling system that compares the different breeds of dogs to the different types of sales personalities.

Pitbull
The most aggressive and probably the most stereotyped salesperson is the Pit Bull. They will attack with a ferocity, aggression, and tenacity that is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. All they need is a pant cuff to latch on to and they NEVER let go. Their intensity is rivaled only by their lack of fear. They are the classic thick-skinned, aggressive salesperson. Closing and objection handling is breakfast for this champion. The Pitbull’s success comes from sheer power and fearlessness. They will make more calls, field more rejections, and keep on selling than any other breed – even when they should really back off. They have a high closing ratio with clients who want someone who will take charge, but often leave a mess for support staff to figure out and clean up. When in doubt, do something, do anything! Focus on actions that put you in front of people. Pit bulls are pioneers and ready to break in a new territory. This is one breed where the numbers game can be leveraged.
Golden Retriever
Everyone’s favorite is the Golden Retriever. The typical Retriever sells by providing extraordinary customer service and they will go to great lengths to grant favors for their customers. The wise Retriever is successful because they know that by continually taking care of prospects, clients, and members of their team, customers will keep coming back and the referrals will flow. Long-term service is the key. To the retriever, customer service is everything, and they often need to be reminded to sell what they are giving. Their sales pitch’s strength is the amazing specific value they offer. Always be the first to give. This giving comes naturally, and small offerings early in the process tip the scales in their favor. Their best prospects for new business are often their existing clients. Retrievers need to be coached to up-sell and cross-sell their additional services.
Poodle
Poodles are highly intelligent and highly conscious of their appearance. They always look good and will never consider getting their paws dirty over chasing some stupid stick into the river and into the mud (the show dog). They know the latest trends and are incredibly well connected. In fact, they probably have the most extensive and exclusive network of any of the breeds! Poodles also love to speak in front of groups and be the center of attention. And it is this natural ability to articulate a message that makes Poodles large sums of money. Their sales pitch’s strength is their classic style. And they often gravitate to the sale of big-ticket items. Learn to speak well to groups, practice as often as you can. Poodles can be the most effective marketing dogs. They like to be the order-taker, and by marketing their own brand, they will keep prospects coming to them.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are technical wizards (may fool you by their small size). Their product knowledge and understanding of processes is astounding. When they have a point to be made, they are insistent about driving their point home. Don’t ever get a Chihuahua started on a subject they are passionate about. They won’t just talk, they will shout, scream, rant, and rave a mile a minute. Prospects can only be amazed and impressed with the incredible exhibition of passion, emotion, and technical detail. Whilst the Chihuahua is not always the best lap dog, it’s the breed you want on your team when digging up data and putting together vital presentations. With boundless energy, Chihuahuas can pull off all-nighters better than any other breed. Let prospects know what you have learned related to their needs. In this day of high-tech and fast changes, product and process knowledge are often critical to both the close and account management. This breed needs to be looking, listening, reading, and taking notes.
Bassett Hound
The classic of all classics is the faithful Bassett Hound (dependable, laid back salesperson). This companion will stick by you through thick and thin. You may try to chase this dog away, yet it would always come back. When they sell, they have that distinctively humble approach that is designed to drive an arrow deep into your heart. If their pathetic look doesn’t get you and begging doesn’t work, beware! You may be about to experience Plan B – the picture of their family and stories about having to pay for braces, bicycles, and ballet classes! They will do anything to solicit your sympathy and their favorite word is “Please?” – “Please buy from me”, or “Please give me an answer today”. And their tenacity paired with how they “look you in the eye” is the key to their close. Master the art of building rapport. This breed intertwines relationships and transactions like an art. With their dependability, consistency, and integrity, they need to get in front of people to “look them in the eye” whenever possible. 
Do you see yourself or see your salespeople here? How can you leverage your strengths and manage your weaknesses to become a top-performing salesperson?
As a salesperson, you need to identify and understand first your own breed, and then the breeds of those around you. Armed with this knowledge, you can learn to leverage your own strengths and personalities as well as those of your team.
While the book is fun and engaging, it also dives deep into the personal development issues that block a person’s ability to generate income and how to overcome them. The book is perfect for first time salespeople, individuals who are uncomfortable with the notion of "selling”, those who need to train others to sell and those who want to simply get better quicker.