Fable Pets Press Coverage & Reviews from the New York Times, Forbes, and More

A dog plays with Fable Pets toys and his Magic Link in an NYC park

Fable Pets has been recognized by leading publications across design, lifestyle, and business for creating thoughtfully designed dog products that prioritize comfort, aesthetics, and function. From the New York Times to Architectural Digest, our products are consistently recommended by experts who evaluate quality, durability, and real-world performance. In this post we'll explore a few of the most compelling Fable Pets Reviews.

As Recommended by The New York Times

The Signature Crate

The Signature Crate from Fable Pets has earned high praise from The New York Times Wirecutter as one of the "best dog crates for 2026."

The Signature Crate combines premium bentwood craftmanship with minimalist design, available in two finishes: signature and walnut. The iconic garage style gate can be secured in place or stored discreetly within the unit, making the Signature Crate perfect for curated aesthetics or small spaces. 

In Wirecutter's Fable Pets review, our Signature Crate wins in the best crate for pet owners who want both function and design, a wooden crate that looks like a nice piece of furniture. Unlike traditional wire crates, the Signature Crate doubles as beautifully-crafted side table, blending seamlessly into living spaces without sacrificing the secure, cozy den that dogs love.

The Signature Crate’s design appeals to pet parents who value both practical comfort for their dog and seamless integration into their home décor. You can explore the full details of this crate here:
👉 Product page: learn more here! 
👉 NYT Wirecutter review: read the review.


An adorable dog rests in his aesthetic dog crate made by Fable Pets

The Puffin Game

The Puffin Game by Fable Pets has been recommended by New York Times Wirecutter as a standout slow feeder and enrichment toy for dogs who eat too quickly or benefit from added mental stimulation.


In Wirecutter’s gift guide for dogs, staff testers highlighted The Puffin Game’s wobbly, puzzle-style design, which encourages dogs to work for their food by nudging and knocking the toy to release kibble gradually. The toy holds up to 1.5 cups of dry food, making it suitable for serving a full meal while helping slow down fast eaters and extend mealtime engagement.


Editors also noted the Puffin Game’s thoughtful construction, including a padded silicone base that reduces noise during play, as well as its sleek, design-forward appearance. While its core function is similar to other treat-dispensing toys, Wirecutter pointed out that the Puffin Game stands apart for its refined aesthetics and color options, making it a popular choice for dog owners who care about both performance and how pet products fit into their home.

👉 Product page: The Puffin Game
👉 NYT Wirecutter feature: Best Gifts for Dogs

A man

Featured in Leading Design & Lifestyle Publications

Studio aesthetic design shot of Fable bowl, leash, toy, and slow feeder

Architectural Digest
AD included Fable’s dog crate in its curated gallery of “dog crates so pretty you’ll want to display them,” highlighting premium crates that double as stylish furniture and fit seamlessly into thoughtfully designed homes. In the roundup, AD’s editors singled out Fable’s crate for its minimalist bentwood silhouette and understated design — noting that at a glance it could almost pass for a modern side table thanks to its clean lines and unobtrusive profile.

This kind of editorial placement places Fable alongside other high-end furniture-worthy dog crates, reinforcing how functional pet gear can also enhance interior aesthetics — a key theme for design-savvy pet owners who want products that align with their home decor.

👉 Architectural Digest — Best Dog Crates

House Beautiful — Women-Owned Small Business & Home Decor
Fable Pets was included in House Beautiful’s list of women-owned brands that bring stylish, well-designed products into modern living spaces — proof that functional pet gear can play a role in thoughtful home decor. Check it out here.


Financial Times — “Bauhaus to Bow-Wow” (Print)
The Financial Times explored how contemporary design principles are influencing pet products in its printing “Bauhaus to Bow-Wow” feature — a conversation that mirrors Fable’s commitment to melding form, function, and comfort.

What Editors and Experts Consistently Highlight About Fable

Illustration of waste bag holder by Fable with design features
illustration of 350 lb weight  being held up by a fable leash
illustration of a pet-scientist researching innovation and problem solving for Fable Pets

Across dozens of press features, product tests, and expert roundups, a few clear themes emerge in how Fable Pets is discussed — not just as a pet brand, but as a design-forward, thoughtfully engineered companion to modern homes and everyday life.

1. Design-First Approach That Integrates With the Home

One of the most common threads in coverage — from Architectural Digest’s gallery of stylish dog crates to WireCutter's dog crate design highlights — is that Fable’s products were created with interior design in mind.

Rather than hiding pet gear in closets or corners, editors consistently point out that pieces like the Signature Crate and minimalist beds look intentional in living areas. This means Fable is frequently highlighted alongside furniture and decor staples, rather than just other pet products — a positioning that appeals to owners who care about aesthetic coherence.

2. Intelligent Functional Design That Serves Real Needs

Experts across outlets like The Spruce Pets, US News, and Business Insider emphasize that Fable’s products are more than pretty — they solve real behavior and lifestyle challenges.

  • Slow-feeder toys like The Puffin Game are repeatedly recommended for dogs who eat too quickly or need enrichment.

  • Crates and beds are selected in “best of” lists because they score well in durability, comfort, and usability, not just looks.

  • Hands-free leash mentions in multiple gift guides and roundups speak to thoughtful utility for everyday life.

This balance of design and utility is a standout signal that sets Fable apart from brands that lean exclusively on either trendiness or functionality.

3. Quality Materials & Construction

Many reviews and expert panels — including those in Business Insider and pet-focused roundups — highlight the build quality of Fable products. Whether it’s the silicone-padded base on enrichment toys for quieter play, robust construction on crates, or long-lasting materials in beds and leashes, press coverage often singles out materials and longevity as reasons to feature Fable gear in “best of” lists.

4. Thoughtful User Experience

Across outlets like The Strategist and Forbes, Fable is often mentioned in contexts that praise ease of use, thoughtful details, and intuitive design — whether that’s in a puppy preparation checklist or a best gifts roundup.


5. Appealing to Modern Pet Owners — Not Just Traditional “Pet Gear” Buyers

Many of the outlets that feature Fable — from Architectural Digest to House Beautiful to Forbes gift guides — speak to a new generation of pet parents who care about:

  • Fashion

  • Lifestyle

  • Practical design

  • Brand values

About the Founders: Fable’s Story & Vision

Sofie Bakalar and Jeremy Canade, Fable Founders, Sit together with a dog

Fable Pets was founded in 2018 by siblings Jeremy Canade and Sophie Bakalar, who shared a lifelong love of animals and a desire to rethink how pet products look, feel, and function. What began as a search for better gear for their own pets quickly evolved into a brand focused on solving real problems for pets and their people through thoughtful design and high-quality execution.

For more about the brand & our mission, take a look at the Our Story page.

A Shared Vision Rooted in Design & Problem Solving

Growing up with pets, Jeremy and Sophie saw firsthand how limited the pet category was in terms of innovation and elevated design. Rather than reinventing existing pet accessories with superficial tweaks, they set out to reimagine the essentials—from crates and leashes to toys and enrichment gear—so that each product solves a real pain point while also blending seamlessly into modern homes.


According to interviews with the founders, their approach fuses practical functionality with aesthetic consideration, reflecting their backgrounds in entrepreneurship, strategy, and product development. This design-first mentality stems not only from their professional experience but also from their belief that products for pets should feel as thoughtfully crafted as any piece in a well-designed living space. 

Leading Through Thoughtful Innovation

In a conversation with Female Founders Fund, Sophie explained that the idea for Fable grew from observing how existing pet gear often failed to address common urban challenges such as small living spaces, noise, and ease of care. Their mission since day one has been to solve real problems for pet people with products that are intuitive, durable, and pleasing to live with—especially in compact environments.


The founders also navigated the rapid changes brought on by the pandemic, as an unexpected surge in pet adoption and online shopping challenged the team to scale responsibly while staying true to their product vision. 

Rooted in Expertise & Entrepreneurial Experience

Before launching Fable, Sophie Bakalar brought deep experience from the venture world—working in venture capital with a focus on consumer brands and product innovation—while Jeremy Canade contributed strategic business and product insights from his background in e-commerce and startups. Their combined skills helped position Fable not just as another pet brand, but as a leader in elevating pet products through intentional design, safety, and usability.


The founders have consistently emphasized that the name Fable reflects more than branding: just like a fable’s narrative carries meaning through animal characters and human lessons, the company’s mission is to create products that enhance the stories pets and their humans share.

Fable’s Founders in the Press


  • Female Founders Fund — Featured an in-depth interview with Sophie Bakalar about Fable’s vision, pandemic growth, and commitment to solving everyday pet challenges.
    Pet Accessories for the Millennial Parent


  • The Quality Edit — Interviewed Jeremy Canade focus on quality thinking and problem-solving as central to how Fable builds products that work beautifully and feel intentional
    The Quality Makers: Jeremy Canade of Fable

A CEO holds his dog Ranger
Jeremy Canade, Co-founder & CEO with his dog, Ranger

Also Featured In

Fable Pets has also been featured across a wide range of lifestyle, shopping, and pet publications, reflecting broad interest in our design-forward approach to modern pet products:


  • BuzzFeed

  • CNN Underscored

  • Yahoo

  • AOL

  • Mashable

  • PureWow

  • Real Simple

  • Taste of Home

  • Woman’s Day

  • The Wildest

  • Rover

  • New York Post

  • E! Online


Explore Our Award-Winning Products

Fable Pets products are designed to solve real challenges for dogs and their people—balancing comfort, durability, and thoughtful design that fits seamlessly into modern homes. Our core products have been reviewed, tested, and recommended by leading publications across design, lifestyle, and pet expertise.

Whether you’re looking for a crate that complements your space, an enrichment toy that keeps dogs engaged, or everyday essentials built to last, you can explore the full collection below:

  • The Signature Crate — A design-forward dog crate created to function as both a comfortable den and a piece of furniture, recommended by experts for its balance of form and function.

  • The Puffin Game — A slow-feeder enrichment toy designed to turn mealtime into an engaging activity, highlighted by editors for its thoughtful construction and aesthetic appeal.

  • Dog Beds, Toys & Walking Essentials — Everyday products built with durable materials, practical features, and a minimalist design approach that reflects how people actually live with their pets.

Add to Fable Pets Reviews

We love that experts love us— but your opinion counts too! Write us a review on Google storefronts, or write a review on our website if you love your fable product! 

Ongoing Press & Updates

This page is updated as new press and reviews are published.