If she is going to be paddling for fun and not fishing or wanting to stand up then go for a long and skinny yak. They will slice through the water easier that a short, wide yak.

x2!!

Also...
Couple of questions that should be addressed IMO...
How long does she want to stay out on the water? (seat comfortability)
What type of water will she be on? Big lakes? Rivers? Coastal?
You might not want to address this but size and weight of the owner (and doggies!) can be important when choosing a fishing yak. (dry ride, not sitting in water the whole time)

If she is going to take a couple pups with her, I would go at least 12' so you don't get too cramped. Many think women need smaller yaks but I don't believe that is the case - width maybe as women often don't have the longer reach of men- but a 12' in many cases is going to paddle better for her - the only real advantage is they are typically a little lighter but not enough IMO to forsake the paddleability(@TM) of a longer yak. The best way however is to demo various yaks that look like a good fit and in your price range - take the pups if you can - be sure to PFD 'em! GL.

To answer your question about "what does price get you?" - yes, usually better construction and better and more features. Staying with name brands and popular models also helps with resale if/when that time comes.

This would be purely a recreational yak, not fishing. I wouldn't look for her to be on the water for extended periods, and it would flat water, mostly lakes, as we camp in the state parks and COE parks
Size and weight is a major consideration. I would want her to be able to load and unload is safely by herself from a roof rack on her Sequoia. There's method to my madness. if she has something to do while we are camping, I don't feel guilty about taking my boat and going fishing.