All Dog Owners - I Need Advice! Options

[gillian]

I know this is off-topic, but I need some advice badly. Over the past 3 weeks, my Jack Russell has been regularly attacking my Cavalier King Charles. Without warning and without even being provoked, he has suddenly taken to grabbing the Cavalier by the throat and shaking him violently, snarling aggressively in the process. I am then forced to separate the dogs, and although the Jack Russell never tries to attack me, he does continue to snarl when I'm dragging him outside. This has only become a problem in the past 3 weeks, and it's scaring me as I'm 37-weeks-pregnant, and I really don't need this ~~. I'm taking him to see the vet this evening to eliminate the possibility that he might be ill or in pain as I know that this can cause aggression in dogs, but I know his vet is going to suggest neutering him. But that bothers me as he doesn't roam, he doesn't try to escape, he doesn't even try to mount other dogs, he's very submissive with humans, and well behaved, hes even won obedience compet*itions with me, and allows our cats to rub up against him, and in other cir%%stances he allows my second dog to cuddle up beside him. Hes also very protective of our house, and will alert us to strangers and protect us from other dogs on walks. Last year he attacked a dog which was going to attack me. I feel quite safe with him. When my beloved late dog Bono was ill, he wouldn't allow strangers to touch him, and he'd growl at other dogs who tried to sniff Bono on walks. He adored Bono, and they were great friends. I'd just hate it if I had to neuter him, and I'm worried it won't make a difference to his aggression towards the other dog, and if anything just make him listless, and take away his personality and zest for life, maybe even make him put on weight. I know what vets are like - they'll bleed you for every penny you've got. Does anyone else have any advice for me? Have any of you got neutered dogs? Does it help?