diff --git a/client/src/pages/PairingSimulator.jsx b/client/src/pages/PairingSimulator.jsx
index c214863..8bede56 100644
--- a/client/src/pages/PairingSimulator.jsx
+++ b/client/src/pages/PairingSimulator.jsx
@@ -15,14 +15,19 @@ export default function PairingSimulator() {
   const [geneticChecking, setGeneticChecking] = useState(false)
 
   useEffect(() => {
-    // include_external=1 ensures external sires/dams appear for pairing
-    fetch('/api/dogs?include_external=1')
-      .then(r => r.json())
+    // /all returns an unpaginated array of every active dog (kennel + external),
+    // so external sires/dams appear and nothing is cut off by pagination
+    fetch('/api/dogs/all')
+      .then(r => r.ok ? r.json() : Promise.reject(new Error(`HTTP ${r.status}`)))
       .then(data => {
-        setDogs(Array.isArray(data) ? data : (data.dogs || []))
+        setDogs(Array.isArray(data) ? data : (data.data || []))
+        setDogsLoading(false)
+      })
+      .catch((err) => {
+        console.error('Failed to load dogs for pairing:', err)
+        setError('Failed to load dogs — refresh to try again')
         setDogsLoading(false)
       })
-      .catch(() => setDogsLoading(false))
   }, [])
 
   // Check for direct relation whenever both sire and dam are selected