Few dog families are as charming as Tory Burch and her two golden miniature poodles, especially when they’re playing on the perfectly kept lawn of her big Hamptons estate.

Burch brought Chicken into the family in 2019. The puppy was originally meant to be a companion for her mother in her later years, similar to a standard poodle Reva Burch once had. But Chicken, a tough and independent dog, ended up staying with the Burch-Roussel family. Then came Slim, Burch’s second dog, who over the past six years has become Chicken’s sweet but slightly clumsy sidekick—like the clingy little brother every older dog sister secretly wanted.

Photographed by Noa Griffel

At first glance, Chicken and Slim seem like a perfect pair, but they came together under stressful circumstances. One evening when Chicken was still a nervous young dog, Burch faced every New York City dog owner’s worst nightmare: a car swerved toward them, Chicken slipped out of her leash—and ran off. “She darted into the park and we couldn’t find her,” Burch recalls. “My kids put up flyers everywhere, and we kept getting sightings, and then people pretending they had her. I saw the best and worst of humanity in that.” After three days, a piece of security camera footage, a viral Instagram plea for help, and a 4 a.m. exchange, Chicken was safely returned. “Slim was her security, her little brother, because she needed a friend,” says Burch. “He was kind of her therapy dog.”

Now they’re just two inseparable pups with a professional portfolio to match. You might recognize them as the playful but well-groomed mascots from various Tory Burch campaigns over the years. “When they were puppies, they were so cute that it was hard not to include them,” says Burch. “We started putting them in some of our T Monogram totes. And when they came to the office, they were perfect because they actually liked it—almost like they were posing a bit.” The duo also makes regular appearances on the brand’s social media, like in one AI-generated post of dogs floating in a hot-air balloon wishing Burch a “Happy Birthday” on TikTok. “I wish I could take credit for that—that was my very creative team who did that,” she says, laughing.

Photographed by Noa Griffel

Below, Burch answers the Dogue questionnaire.

What are your dogs’ best qualities?
Because Chicken was lost in New York City, she’s definitely a survivor. She’s mischievous and fun, but always a bit unpredictable. But once she gives her love, it’s very rewarding for people. And Slim, he has such a funny face. When we got him as a puppy, he was a chubby little guy with deep-set eyes that made him look constantly worried. He’s definitely anxious and loyal.

Who would voice your dogs in a movie?
Zoe Saldaña and Rodney Dangerfield.

Describe the voice you use to talk to your dogs.
Oh, my God, I would never do that to myself. But I can tell you that my husband, Pierre-Yves, acts like Chicken is the little girl he never had. And when we talk to Slim, we have to be very careful, because he’s scared of his own shadow, so everyone has to avoid raising their voice.

What are your dogs’ weirdest nicknames, and how did you come up with them?
Chicken is a funny nickname on its own, so she’s just Chicken. And Slim, he was a fat, clumsy puppy, so we called him Slim because he was so chubby.

Where is one place you wish you could take your dogs?
I’m laughing, because I was thinking outside. I’m definitely an outdoor person, and these guys are more indoor dogs.

Where is the strangest place you’ve taken your dogs?
Well, to that point, I’ve been trying to take them paddleboarding, so that’s a work in progress. I put them on the back of the board—we’re working on it.

If you could tell your dogs one thing, what would it be?Would it be? I’d tell them that I dream about them too.

What’s the most human thing your dogs do?
They’re on a strict schedule. They’re in bed by 9 p.m. every night and wake up at 8 a.m. I’m not sure how we trained them to do that, but that’s their routine.

Photographed by Noa Griffel

What’s the most dog-like thing your dogs do?
Well, I don’t think they have any shame, so they’ll beg for love and attention right after doing something really bad.

What are your dogs’ full names?
Chicken and Slim. We’re a one-name kind of family.

Astrological signs?
Chicken is a Sagittarius, and Slim is a Scorpio.

Favorite toys?
They can’t go to bed without their Lamb Chop—they each have one.

Favorite meal?
Chicken eats fresh chicken and rice, and she’s also a bit of a chocolate lover—which is obviously a no-go. We’ve had to hide chocolate from her very seriously. She can sniff it out anywhere. Slim prefers fish and fresh vegetables.

Worst habit?
Chicken likes to nip people as they’re leaving, and Slim acts like a scary Doberman until he sees another dog—then he runs for the hills.

Strangest habit?
Chicken likes to hide from everyone, so we literally can’t find her in the house. And Slim has this habit of walking along walls all the time. (I think it’s because of his inset eyes. He’s definitely a bit uncoordinated.)

Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Nepo Doggies Chicken and Slim Tory Burchs favorite models written in a natural conversational tone

Beginner Questions

1 Wait who are Chicken and Slim
They are Tory Burchs two pet dogs Chicken is a white Bichon Frise and Slim is a black and white Cavalier King Charles Spaniel They are the designers beloved companions and have become famous in their own right

2 Why are they called Nepo Doggies
Its a playful joke In fashion and pop culture nepo babies are people who get famous because of their famous parents Chicken and Slim are famous simply because their mom is a billionaire fashion designer So they are the ultimate nepo doggiesthey didnt have to work for their fame they were born into it

3 Where do they usually appear
They appear all over Tory Burchs social media especially on Instagram They are also frequently photographed at Torys homes in her office and even at fashion week events

4 Are they actually in Tory Burchs fashion campaigns
Yes They have starred in several official campaigns and lookbooks Most notably they have modeled for the brands footwear and accessory lines posing with the products in a very chic editorial style

5 Do they have their own Instagram account
They dont have their own separate verified account but they are the undisputed stars of Tory Burchs main Instagram page Youll find them in countless posts and Reels

Intermediate Questions

6 What makes Chicken and Slim different from other celebrity pets
Their aesthetic They arent just cute pets they are styled and photographed like highfashion models They often wear chic bandanas pose in luxury settings and have a very editorial quality to their photos They perfectly embody the preppy classic and slightly playful vibe of the Tory Burch brand

7 How do they fit into Tory Burchs brand image
They are a masterclass in branding By featuring them Tory Burch makes the brand feel more personal relatable and warm They soften the highfashion image