Almond blossom or sierra vista?

[Anita Lee]

We are hoping to adopt a mini or medium fleeces red or apricot doodle in the summer and have narrowed breeders down to 2. Almond blossom has many more photos online and I love the teddy bear look. However, 2000 seems a lot to pay. Once I have a dog, Id obviously be able to afford the cost of maintaining its health - but I'd rather not pay more than I have to on the purchase of the dog. Sierra vista offers a similar health guarantee and spaying/neutering in their price, 1800. It's a savings of approx. 500; I'm just not sure they produce the same fleecy coats as almond blossom, and I haven't had the chance to meet any yet. The doodle romp is around the same time as when the next litter would be available so I want to make a decision before then. Does anyone have input on how the coat quality differs between the two, and whether sierra vista produces that angora fleece in its puppies? I believe sierra grooms their dogs themselves which may be why they look different than almond blossom's doodles - hard to tell though, not having any knowledge of how doodles grow out their haircuts.

[Anita Lee]

Excuse the typos; this was typed on my phone.

[Gail Piro]

I have an Almond Blossom & her coat is like velvet. Some doodles run around $2500 at other breeders. I do not know anything about Sierra Vista. You are going to have this dog for a long time. It was an investment I felt was worth every penny.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Anita, I have 2 dogs from Almond Blossom. We absolutely LOVE them!!! Whichever breeder you choose from I would suggest that you visit both. PM me if you would like to chat. 

[Anita Lee]

Thank you, Gail and Carla, for your responses. I've spoken to many Sierra Vista owners who highly recommend SV, but the one puppy (8 mos.) I met was from AB and he was so sweet with an insanely soft coat. Not sure if this was a result of meticulous grooming, though. Have either of you experienced a lot of matting or know if matting is even breeder-specific? Does AB produce only pure fleece puppies? Thanks in advance. :)

[Gail Piro]

Matting is not breeder related as all dogs mat. Lola is always soft whether she is brushed or not. I'm sure both places are great.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

I agree with Gail. Matting is not breeder related. My dogs don't matt as much as others. We are very lucky. Grooming is extremely important with any of these doodles. I've seem too many doodles be it LB or GD that matt and if you don't take care of them you end up getting them clipped down pretty short.

Good luck in any choice you make. Whatever breeder you choose you will be very happy. These dogs are the BEST!!!!