diff --git a/.zenflow/tasks/6e6e64eb-cb72-459e-b943-27554a749459/investigation.md b/.zenflow/tasks/6e6e64eb-cb72-459e-b943-27554a749459/investigation.md
index 66d6a8e..4c8ab6d 100644
--- a/.zenflow/tasks/6e6e64eb-cb72-459e-b943-27554a749459/investigation.md
+++ b/.zenflow/tasks/6e6e64eb-cb72-459e-b943-27554a749459/investigation.md
@@ -13,12 +13,17 @@ The "External Dogs" interface does not match the layout and style of the main "D
 ## Affected Components
 - `client/src/pages/ExternalDogs.jsx`
 
-## Proposed Solution
-Refactor `ExternalDogs.jsx` to mirror the structure and style of `DogList.jsx`:
-1.  **Standardize Imports**: Use `axios` instead of `fetch`. Import `ChampionBadge`, `ChampionBloodlineBadge`, and necessary `lucide-react` icons.
-2.  **Match Layout**: Update the main container and header to match `DogList.jsx` using the `container` class and consistent inline styles.
-3.  **Sync Filter Bar**: Use the same search and filter bar implementation as `DogList.jsx`.
-4.  **Implement List View**: Replace the `dog-grid` with a vertical stack of cards matching the Dogs page style.
-5.  **Add Delete Functionality**: Implement the `handleDelete` logic and add the `Delete Confirmation Modal`.
-6.  **Use Badges & Helpers**: Replace emoji badges with the standardized badge components and use `calculateAge` for birth dates.
-7.  **Consistent Navigation**: Use `react-router-dom`'s `Link` for navigation to dog details.
+## Implementation Notes
+Refactored `ExternalDogs.jsx` to match `DogList.jsx` in layout, style, and functionality. Key changes:
+- Switched to `axios` for API calls.
+- Adopted the vertical list layout instead of the grid.
+- Used standardized `ChampionBadge` and `ChampionBloodlineBadge` components.
+- Added a search/filter bar consistent with the main Dogs page.
+- Implemented delete functionality with a confirmation modal.
+- Standardized age calculation using the `calculateAge` helper logic.
+- Added an "EXT" badge to the dog avatars to clearly identify them as external dogs while maintaining the overall style.
+
+## Test Results
+- Verified that all components are correctly imported.
+- Verified that API endpoints match the backend routes.
+- Code review shows consistent use of CSS variables and classes (e.g., `container`, `card`, `btn`).
diff --git a/.zenflow/tasks/new-task-6e6e/plan.md b/.zenflow/tasks/new-task-6e6e/plan.md
index 7d9ae26..66fec80 100644
--- a/.zenflow/tasks/new-task-6e6e/plan.md
+++ b/.zenflow/tasks/new-task-6e6e/plan.md
@@ -31,7 +31,8 @@ Save findings to `{@artifacts_path}/investigation.md` with:
 - Affected components
 - Proposed solution
 
-### [ ] Step: Implementation
+### [x] Step: Implementation
+<!-- chat-id: a16cb98d-27d8-4461-b8cd-bd5f1ba8ab8e -->
 Read `{@artifacts_path}/investigation.md`
 Implement the bug fix.
 
diff --git a/client/src/pages/ExternalDogs.jsx b/client/src/pages/ExternalDogs.jsx
index 9baa308..df9b8c8 100644
--- a/client/src/pages/ExternalDogs.jsx
+++ b/client/src/pages/ExternalDogs.jsx
@@ -1,110 +1,327 @@
-import { useState, useEffect } from 'react';
-import { Users, Plus, Search, ExternalLink, Award, Filter } from 'lucide-react';
-import DogForm from '../components/DogForm';
+import { useEffect, useState } from 'react'
+import { Link } from 'react-router-dom'
+import { Dog, Plus, Search, Calendar, Hash, ArrowRight, Trash2, ExternalLink } from 'lucide-react'
+import axios from 'axios'
+import DogForm from '../components/DogForm'
+import { ChampionBadge, ChampionBloodlineBadge } from '../components/ChampionBadge'
 
-export default function ExternalDogs() {
-  const [dogs, setDogs]           = useState([]);
-  const [loading, setLoading]     = useState(true);
-  const [search, setSearch]       = useState('');
-  const [sexFilter, setSexFilter] = useState('all');
-  const [showAddModal, setShowAddModal] = useState(false);
+function ExternalDogs() {
+  const [dogs, setDogs] = useState([])
+  const [filteredDogs, setFilteredDogs] = useState([])
+  const [search, setSearch] = useState('')
+  const [sexFilter, setSexFilter] = useState('all')
+  const [loading, setLoading] = useState(true)
+  const [showAddModal, setShowAddModal] = useState(false)
+  const [deleteTarget, setDeleteTarget] = useState(null)  // { id, name }
+  const [deleting, setDeleting] = useState(false)
 
-  useEffect(() => {
-    fetchDogs();
-  }, []);
+  useEffect(() => { fetchDogs() }, [])
+  useEffect(() => { filterDogs() }, [dogs, search, sexFilter])
 
-  const fetchDogs = () => {
-    fetch('/api/dogs/external')
-      .then(r => r.json())
-      .then(data => { setDogs(data); setLoading(false); })
-      .catch(() => setLoading(false));
-  };
+  const fetchDogs = async () => {
+    try {
+      const res = await axios.get('/api/dogs/external')
+      setDogs(res.data)
+      setLoading(false)
+    } catch (error) {
+      console.error('Error fetching external dogs:', error)
+      setLoading(false)
+    }
+  }
 
-  const filtered = dogs.filter(d => {
-    const matchSearch = d.name.toLowerCase().includes(search.toLowerCase()) ||
-                        (d.breed || '').toLowerCase().includes(search.toLowerCase());
-    const matchSex    = sexFilter === 'all' || d.sex === sexFilter;
-    return matchSearch && matchSex;
-  });
+  const filterDogs = () => {
+    let filtered = dogs
+    if (search) {
+      filtered = filtered.filter(dog =>
+        dog.name.toLowerCase().includes(search.toLowerCase()) ||
+        (dog.breed && dog.breed.toLowerCase().includes(search.toLowerCase())) ||
+        (dog.registration_number && dog.registration_number.toLowerCase().includes(search.toLowerCase()))
+      )
+    }
+    if (sexFilter !== 'all') {
+      filtered = filtered.filter(dog => dog.sex === sexFilter)
+    }
+    setFilteredDogs(filtered)
+  }
 
-  const sires = filtered.filter(d => d.sex === 'male');
-  const dams  = filtered.filter(d => d.sex === 'female');
+  const handleDelete = async () => {
+    if (!deleteTarget) return
+    setDeleting(true)
+    try {
+      await axios.delete(`/api/dogs/${deleteTarget.id}`)
+      setDogs(prev => prev.filter(d => d.id !== deleteTarget.id))
+      setDeleteTarget(null)
+    } catch (err) {
+      console.error('Delete failed:', err)
+      alert('Failed to delete dog. Please try again.')
+    } finally {
+      setDeleting(false)
+    }
+  }
 
-  if (loading) return <div className="loading">Loading external dogs...</div>;
+  const calculateAge = (birthDate) => {
+    if (!birthDate) return null
+    const today = new Date()
+    const birth = new Date(birthDate)
+    let years = today.getFullYear() - birth.getFullYear()
+    let months = today.getMonth() - birth.getMonth()
+    if (months < 0) { years--; months += 12 }
+    if (years === 0) return `${months}mo`
+    if (months === 0) return `${years}y`
+    return `${years}y ${months}mo`
+  }
+
+  const hasChampionBlood = (dog) =>
+    (dog.sire && dog.sire.is_champion) || (dog.dam && dog.dam.is_champion)
+
+  if (loading) {
+    return <div className="container loading">Loading external dogs...</div>
+  }
 
   return (
-    <div className="page-container">
-      {/* Header */}
-      <div className="page-header">
-        <div className="page-header-left">
-          <ExternalLink size={28} className="page-icon" />
-          <div>
-            <h1 className="page-title">External Dogs</h1>
-            <p className="page-subtitle">External sires, dams, and ancestors used in your breeding program</p>
+    <div className="container" style={{ paddingTop: '2rem', paddingBottom: '3rem' }}>
+      <div style={{ display: 'flex', justifyContent: 'space-between', alignItems: 'center', marginBottom: '2rem' }}>
+        <div>
+          <div style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '0.75rem', marginBottom: '0.25rem' }}>
+            <ExternalLink size={28} style={{ color: 'var(--primary)' }} />
+            <h1 style={{ margin: 0 }}>External Dogs</h1>
           </div>
+          <p style={{ color: 'var(--text-secondary)', fontSize: '0.875rem' }}>
+            {filteredDogs.length} {filteredDogs.length === 1 ? 'dog' : 'dogs'}
+            {search || sexFilter !== 'all' ? ' matching filters' : ' total'}
+          </p>
         </div>
-        <button
-          className="btn btn-primary"
-          onClick={() => setShowAddModal(true)}
-        >
-          <Plus size={16} /> Add External Dog
+        <button className="btn btn-primary" onClick={() => setShowAddModal(true)}>
+          <Plus size={18} />
+          Add External Dog
         </button>
       </div>
 
-      {/* Filters */}
-      <div className="filter-bar">
-        <div className="search-wrapper">
-          <Search size={16} className="search-icon" />
-          <input
-            type="text"
-            placeholder="Search by name or breed..."
-            value={search}
-            onChange={e => setSearch(e.target.value)}
-            className="search-input"
-          />
-        </div>
-        <div className="filter-group">
-          <Filter size={14} />
-          <select value={sexFilter} onChange={e => setSexFilter(e.target.value)} className="filter-select">
-            <option value="all">All</option>
-            <option value="male">Sires (Male)</option>
-            <option value="female">Dams (Female)</option>
+      {/* Search and Filter Bar */}
+      <div className="card" style={{ marginBottom: '1.5rem', padding: '1rem' }}>
+        <div style={{ display: 'grid', gridTemplateColumns: '1fr auto auto', gap: '1rem', alignItems: 'center' }}>
+          <div style={{ position: 'relative' }}>
+            <Search size={18} style={{ position: 'absolute', left: '0.875rem', top: '50%', transform: 'translateY(-50%)', color: 'var(--text-muted)' }} />
+            <input
+              type="text"
+              className="input"
+              placeholder="Search by name or breed..."
+              value={search}
+              onChange={(e) => setSearch(e.target.value)}
+              style={{ paddingLeft: '2.75rem' }}
+            />
+          </div>
+          <select className="input" value={sexFilter} onChange={(e) => setSexFilter(e.target.value)} style={{ width: '160px' }}>
+            <option value="all">All Genders</option>
+            <option value="male">Sires (Male) ♂</option>
+            <option value="female">Dams (Female) ♀</option>
           </select>
+          {(search || sexFilter !== 'all') && (
+            <button
+              className="btn btn-ghost"
+              onClick={() => { setSearch(''); setSexFilter('all') }}
+              style={{ padding: '0.625rem 1rem', fontSize: '0.875rem' }}
+            >
+              Clear
+            </button>
+          )}
         </div>
-        <span className="result-count">{filtered.length} dog{filtered.length !== 1 ? 's' : ''}</span>
       </div>
 
-      {filtered.length === 0 ? (
-        <div className="empty-state">
-          <ExternalLink size={48} className="empty-icon" />
-          <h3>No external dogs yet</h3>
-          <p>Add sires, dams, or ancestors that aren't part of your kennel roster.</p>
-          <button className="btn btn-primary" onClick={() => setShowAddModal(true)}>
-            <Plus size={16} /> Add First External Dog
-          </button>
+      {/* Dogs List */}
+      {filteredDogs.length === 0 ? (
+        <div className="card" style={{ textAlign: 'center', padding: '4rem 2rem' }}>
+          <ExternalLink size={64} style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)', margin: '0 auto 1rem', opacity: 0.5 }} />
+          <h3 style={{ marginBottom: '0.5rem' }}>
+            {search || sexFilter !== 'all' ? 'No dogs found' : 'No external dogs yet'}
+          </h3>
+          <p style={{ color: 'var(--text-secondary)', marginBottom: '2rem' }}>
+            {search || sexFilter !== 'all'
+              ? 'Try adjusting your search or filters'
+              : 'Add sires, dams, or ancestors that aren\'t part of your kennel roster.'}
+          </p>
+          {!search && sexFilter === 'all' && (
+            <button className="btn btn-primary" onClick={() => setShowAddModal(true)}>
+              <Plus size={18} />
+              Add Your First External Dog
+            </button>
+          )}
         </div>
       ) : (
-        <div className="external-sections">
-          {(sexFilter === 'all' || sexFilter === 'male') && sires.length > 0 && (
-            <section className="external-section">
-              <h2 className="section-heading">&#9794; Sires ({sires.length})</h2>
-              <div className="dog-grid">
-                {sires.map(dog => <DogCard key={dog.id} dog={dog} />)}
+        <div style={{ display: 'grid', gap: '1rem' }}>
+          {filteredDogs.map(dog => (
+            <div
+              key={dog.id}
+              className="card"
+              style={{
+                padding: '1rem',
+                display: 'flex',
+                gap: '1rem',
+                alignItems: 'center',
+                transition: 'var(--transition)',
+              }}
+              onMouseEnter={(e) => {
+                e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = 'var(--primary)'
+                e.currentTarget.style.transform = 'translateY(-2px)'
+                e.currentTarget.style.boxShadow = '0 8px 16px rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.3)'
+              }}
+              onMouseLeave={(e) => {
+                e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = 'var(--border)'
+                e.currentTarget.style.transform = 'translateY(0)'
+                e.currentTarget.style.boxShadow = 'var(--shadow-sm)'
+              }}
+            >
+              {/* Avatar */}
+              <Link
+                to={`/dogs/${dog.id}`}
+                style={{ flexShrink: 0, textDecoration: 'none' }}
+              >
+                <div style={{
+                  width: '80px', height: '80px',
+                  borderRadius: 'var(--radius)',
+                  background: 'var(--bg-primary)',
+                  border: dog.is_champion
+                    ? '2px solid var(--champion-gold)'
+                    : hasChampionBlood(dog)
+                      ? '2px solid var(--bloodline-amber)'
+                      : '2px solid var(--border)',
+                  display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center',
+                  overflow: 'hidden',
+                  position: 'relative',
+                  boxShadow: dog.is_champion
+                    ? '0 0 8px var(--champion-glow)'
+                    : hasChampionBlood(dog)
+                      ? '0 0 8px var(--bloodline-glow)'
+                      : 'none'
+                }}>
+                  {dog.photo_urls && dog.photo_urls.length > 0 ? (
+                    <img
+                      src={dog.photo_urls[0]}
+                      alt={dog.name}
+                      style={{ width: '100%', height: '100%', objectFit: 'cover' }}
+                    />
+                  ) : (
+                    <Dog size={32} style={{ color: 'var(--text-muted)', opacity: 0.5 }} />
+                  )}
+                  <div style={{
+                    position: 'absolute',
+                    top: 0,
+                    right: 0,
+                    background: 'var(--bg-secondary)',
+                    borderBottomLeftRadius: 'var(--radius-sm)',
+                    padding: '2px 4px',
+                    fontSize: '0.625rem',
+                    fontWeight: 'bold',
+                    color: 'var(--text-muted)',
+                    borderLeft: '1px solid var(--border)',
+                    borderBottom: '1px solid var(--border)',
+                    display: 'flex',
+                    alignItems: 'center',
+                    gap: '2px'
+                  }}>
+                    <ExternalLink size={8} /> EXT
+                  </div>
+                </div>
+              </Link>
+
+              {/* Info — clicking navigates to detail */}
+              <Link
+                to={`/dogs/${dog.id}`}
+                style={{ flex: 1, minWidth: 0, textDecoration: 'none', color: 'inherit' }}
+              >
+                <h3 style={{
+                  fontSize: '1.125rem',
+                  marginBottom: '0.25rem',
+                  display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '0.5rem',
+                  flexWrap: 'wrap'
+                }}>
+                  <span style={{ overflow: 'hidden', textOverflow: 'ellipsis', whiteSpace: 'nowrap' }}>
+                    {dog.name}
+                  </span>
+                  <span style={{ color: dog.sex === 'male' ? 'var(--primary)' : '#ec4899', fontSize: '1rem' }}>
+                    {dog.sex === 'male' ? '♂' : '♀'}
+                  </span>
+                  {dog.is_champion ? <ChampionBadge /> : hasChampionBlood(dog) ? <ChampionBloodlineBadge /> : null}
+                </h3>
+
+                <div style={{
+                  display: 'flex', flexWrap: 'wrap', gap: '0.75rem',
+                  fontSize: '0.8125rem', color: 'var(--text-secondary)', marginBottom: '0.5rem'
+                }}>
+                  <span>{dog.breed}</span>
+                  {dog.birth_date && (
+                    <>
+                      <span>·</span>
+                      <span style={{ display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '0.25rem' }}>
+                        <Calendar size={12} />
+                        {calculateAge(dog.birth_date)}
+                      </span>
+                    </>
+                  )}
+                  {dog.color && (
+                    <>
+                      <span>·</span>
+                      <span>{dog.color}</span>
+                    </>
+                  )}
+                </div>
+
+                {dog.registration_number && (
+                  <div style={{
+                    display: 'inline-flex', alignItems: 'center', gap: '0.25rem',
+                    padding: '0.25rem 0.5rem',
+                    background: 'var(--bg-primary)',
+                    border: '1px solid var(--border)',
+                    borderRadius: 'var(--radius-sm)',
+                    fontSize: '0.75rem', fontFamily: 'monospace',
+                    color: 'var(--text-muted)'
+                  }}>
+                    <Hash size={10} />
+                    {dog.registration_number}
+                  </div>
+                )}
+              </Link>
+
+              {/* Actions */}
+              <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: '0.5rem', flexShrink: 0, alignItems: 'center' }}>
+                <Link
+                  to={`/dogs/${dog.id}`}
+                  style={{ opacity: 0.5, transition: 'var(--transition)', color: 'inherit' }}
+                >
+                  <ArrowRight size={20} color="var(--text-muted)" />
+                </Link>
+                <button
+                  className="btn btn-ghost"
+                  title={`Delete ${dog.name}`}
+                  onClick={(e) => { e.preventDefault(); e.stopPropagation(); setDeleteTarget({ id: dog.id, name: dog.name }) }}
+                  style={{
+                    padding: '0.4rem',
+                    color: 'var(--text-muted)',
+                    border: '1px solid transparent',
+                    borderRadius: 'var(--radius-sm)',
+                    display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center',
+                    transition: 'var(--transition)'
+                  }}
+                  onMouseEnter={(e) => {
+                    e.currentTarget.style.color = '#ef4444'
+                    e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = '#ef4444'
+                    e.currentTarget.style.background = 'rgba(239,68,68,0.08)'
+                  }}
+                  onMouseLeave={(e) => {
+                    e.currentTarget.style.color = 'var(--text-muted)'
+                    e.currentTarget.style.borderColor = 'transparent'
+                    e.currentTarget.style.background = 'transparent'
+                  }}
+                >
+                  <Trash2 size={16} />
+                </button>
               </div>
-            </section>
-          )}
-          {(sexFilter === 'all' || sexFilter === 'female') && dams.length > 0 && (
-            <section className="external-section">
-              <h2 className="section-heading">&#9792; Dams ({dams.length})</h2>
-              <div className="dog-grid">
-                {dams.map(dog => <DogCard key={dog.id} dog={dog} />)}
-              </div>
-            </section>
-          )}
+            </div>
+          ))}
         </div>
       )}
 
-      {/* Add External Dog Modal */}
+      {/* Add Dog Modal */}
       {showAddModal && (
         <DogForm
           isExternal={true}
@@ -112,45 +329,61 @@ export default function ExternalDogs() {
           onSave={() => { fetchDogs(); setShowAddModal(false); }}
         />
       )}
+
+      {/* Delete Confirmation Modal */}
+      {deleteTarget && (
+        <div style={{
+          position: 'fixed', inset: 0,
+          background: 'rgba(0,0,0,0.65)',
+          display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center',
+          zIndex: 1000,
+          backdropFilter: 'blur(4px)'
+        }}>
+          <div className="card" style={{ maxWidth: 420, width: '90%', padding: '2rem', textAlign: 'center' }}>
+            <div style={{
+              width: 56, height: 56,
+              borderRadius: '50%',
+              background: 'rgba(239,68,68,0.12)',
+              display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center',
+              margin: '0 auto 1rem'
+            }}>
+              <Trash2 size={26} style={{ color: '#ef4444' }} />
+            </div>
+            <h3 style={{ margin: '0 0 0.5rem', fontSize: '1.25rem' }}>Delete External Dog?</h3>
+            <p style={{ color: 'var(--text-secondary)', marginBottom: '1.75rem', lineHeight: 1.6 }}>
+              <strong style={{ color: 'var(--text-primary)' }}>{deleteTarget.name}</strong> will be
+              permanently removed. This cannot be undone.
+            </p>
+            <div style={{ display: 'flex', gap: '0.75rem', justifyContent: 'center' }}>
+              <button
+                className="btn btn-ghost"
+                onClick={() => setDeleteTarget(null)}
+                disabled={deleting}
+                style={{ minWidth: 100 }}
+              >
+                Cancel
+              </button>
+              <button
+                className="btn"
+                onClick={handleDelete}
+                disabled={deleting}
+                style={{
+                  minWidth: 140,
+                  background: '#ef4444',
+                  color: '#fff',
+                  border: '1px solid #ef4444',
+                  display: 'flex', alignItems: 'center', justifyContent: 'center', gap: '0.5rem'
+                }}
+              >
+                <Trash2 size={15} />
+                {deleting ? 'Deleting…' : 'Yes, Delete'}
+              </button>
+            </div>
+          </div>
+        </div>
+      )}
     </div>
-  );
+  )
 }
 
-function DogCard({ dog }) {
-  const photo = dog.photo_urls?.[0];
-  return (
-    <div
-      className="dog-card dog-card--external"
-      onClick={() => window.location.href = `/dogs/${dog.id}`}
-      role="button"
-      tabIndex={0}
-      onKeyDown={e => e.key === 'Enter' && (window.location.href = `/dogs/${dog.id}`)}
-    >
-      <div className="dog-card-photo">
-        {photo
-          ? <img src={photo} alt={dog.name} />
-          : <div className="dog-card-photo-placeholder"><Users size={32} /></div>
-        }
-        {dog.is_champion === 1 && <span className="champion-badge" title="Champion">&#127942;</span>}
-        <span className="external-badge"><ExternalLink size={11} /> Ext</span>
-      </div>
-      <div className="dog-card-body">
-        <div className="dog-card-name">
-          {dog.is_champion === 1 && <Award size={13} className="champion-icon" />}
-          {dog.name}
-        </div>
-        <div className="dog-card-meta">{dog.breed}</div>
-        <div className="dog-card-meta dog-card-meta--muted">
-          {dog.sex === 'male' ? '\u2642 Sire' : '\u2640 Dam'}
-          {dog.birth_date && <>&middot; {dog.birth_date}</>}
-        </div>
-        {(dog.sire || dog.dam) && (
-          <div className="dog-card-parents">
-            {dog.sire && <span>S: {dog.sire.name}</span>}
-            {dog.dam  && <span>D: {dog.dam.name}</span>}
-          </div>
-        )}
-      </div>
-    </div>
-  );
-}
+export default ExternalDogs