One of the best pheasant dogs I evershot overwas a beagle. If the birds were dug in this little dog would root them out. There is something unnerving to the pheasant to have a baying squealing little hound on it's butt. We shot quite a few birds overThe Beag. I have seen videos and DVD's of the German tests for Teckels (this is what a German calls a dachshund, just like we call our breed the German wirehaired pointer vs a DD) and these little dogs do an excellent job finding flushing and retrieving birds. I hunt with a Jagdterrier. Hunting with him is a surprize. I never know what I am going to bring home (a bobcat a raccoon 3 grouse and a snowshoe hare on one hunt). Is a hound or terrier as good as a sporting dog for bird hunting? No but they can do a good job and put fur and FEATHERS into the game bag.
If you want a small dog to work with I would suggest a springer spaniel. Easy going, easy to find, Teach them to sit stay come when called and to retrieve and you will have as good of a hunting dog as you can find. It won't quarter and you have to teach it to sit EVERYTIME on command so you can keep it in range but you could do alot worse than a springer.

Doc George (formally Dr Fatguy)