sproulman,
why not a springer? A small springer is just the size of a larger beagle. They hunt birds and get into places most dogs won't go. But with the beagle, they'll chase unwanted game like if the beagle scents a rabbit or squirrel, off they go.

Then you run into the pointer with flusher issue for both dogs (if running a PL). I have a small setter that willhunt blackberries bushes,she's < 35lbs. I know of another fully grown setter only about 30lbs. But then I have an issue of calling for her to flush the bird because there's no way I'm going in there.