Alan Harper has been involved with Pugs, breeding, handling and exhibiting for approximately 25 years. He finished his first champion at the age of 11, and subsequently finished over 60 Pugs with limited showing. In addition to Pugs, he has bred and shown Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pekingese, Pomeranians, Brussels Griffon, Shih Tzu, Boston Terriers and French Bulldogs.

He has been an approved AKC judge since 1981. He considers as highlights in his career assignments such as The City of Los Angeles Specialty (May 1989 and January 1995); Pug Dog Club of America National Specialty; Portsmouth, England; National Chinese Shar-Pei Club of America Specialty; Osaka, Japan; Helsinki, Finland, and Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

He is approved to judge the Toy Group and the majority of the Non-Sporting Group in addition to Best in Show.

He has been active in various Pug Clubs -- Delegate for Puget Sound Pug Club; Officer in Pug Dog Club of Maryland; Charter Member of Tampa Bay Pug Club; member of The Pug Dog Club of America since 1977; member Pug Dog Club of England, and Officer and Show Chairman for the Jacksonville Dog Fanciers' Association. He participated as a member of the American Kennel Club Committee to develop the Pug Standard Video, which is widely circulated and used throughout the U.S.