do you think the breed standard for poodles is cruel?

The fifth claw, better known as a dewclaw, is removed for safety reasons. They can catch and tear them jumping on furniture, running and as you mentioned they can be cut during grooming if the groomer is not careful. Dewclaws on the back legs are usually more likely to cause problems than those on the front. As for docking the tail, many other dog breeds have docked tails too. I personally, would not dock. I have a poodle with a full tail and front dewclaws. He is not a show dog, hunting dog or anything fancy.

Do I think its cruel? Dewclaw removal, no not so much as if they rip it themselves it will hurt much more. Tail docking? Yes, I kind of do because I don't see much necessity in it unless it actually is done to prevent injury. I've never docked any dog I've owned, but I don't condemn those that choose to. As long as the dog is well cared for and healthy then an owner should be able to do as they please with their animals tail.

No it's not cruel. Both dewclaws and tails are done at 3 to 4 days of age and beyond a squeak during the actual cut, the pups aren't even aware of what's going on. At that age they can't see, hear, or remember anything. Further, where did you get the notion that dewclaws "have" to be done? The standard leaves it up to the breeder.

" the fifth toe was cut to make grooming between toes easier"

Where do you people come up with these things? Dewclaws are nowhere near the other toes and have nothing to do with grooming. It is not uncommon for dogs to snag their dewclaws on things later in life and end up needing them removed when it is then major surgery. Some breeders remove them to have a "cleaner" looking leg. I prefer to leave the dewclaws on, but I certainly don't quibble with people who prefer to have them removed. Might prevent a surgery later on.

And yes, when I was a kid, our Chihuahua got one of his dewclaws snagged on a chair while jumping up. He tore it badly and needed surgery to have it removed. A 5-second procedure as a baby puppy would have prevented the need for that later surgery under full anesthesia.

EDIT:

And yes, as Charmed One mentioned, I guess you are against neutering and spaying. Especially the latter, which is major invasive surgery after which the dog endures a fair amount of pain. Care to comment on that?

Removal of dewclaws is standard in many breeds. Having dealt with dewclaw injuries, I can tell you that even a *minor* injury to a dew later in life is a dozen if not a hundred times more traumatic than pediatric removal. Removal of dews is standard for any breed that actually WORKS.

Tail docking is standard in many field breeds to prevent injuries - again, even a MINOR tail injury is more traumatic than a pediatric proper dock! - in breeds with fully-feathered tails, just removing burs and brush from the tail after a day of hunting is very stressful and painful for the dog.

Are you asking an honest question or trying to start trouble?

Many standards for breeding dogs back then were barbaric, but in these modern days and this age, many of the most "barbaric" reasons/methods and standards for docking dogs have been eliminated/removed.

Docking/cropping is still done today in certain areas/countries and is HARDLY barbaric when done appropriately, at the proper age for the animal and by a licensed/professional animal. If you dock/crop and remove dewclaws at the appropriate age, and these procedures are done by a licensed/professional Vet in clean, harmless situation I see no issues with it.

Tons of docked, cropped and dew-claw removed dogs live healthy, normal lives and it's totally moronic to assume that one surgical procedure done appropriately and without pain/under medication will damage and cause the dog pain for life...nothing more then nonsense spewed by PETA activists and idiots.

Many dogs today are cropped to fit certain standards that were traditionally set for their breed. Many others still WORK their animals and these animals have to be cropped/docked for health/working reasons. Many others, CHOOSE to crop/dock their animals because they want to, and if it's done appropriately they shouldn't feel guilty or bad for doing so.

if the procedure is done when they are puppies, they are able to heal quite quickly. as an adult dog, then that is completely wrong.

also, saying spaying and neutering is bad too. i'm assuming.

Yes extremely. They need to ban things like that as well as cutting off dogs ears or tails. Criminalize animal abuse!

umm... i circumsized my son and if i had a daughter i'd pierce her ears when she was a baby...

That's horrible. This should be banned. :(

NO