I hunted Rabbits with a Shepard. He'd turn them towards me, I'd stand perfectly still and make like a tree until they got close, then I'd move. They'd hesitate and the dog would grab them. A rare evening I didn't come home with 2-3 Rabbits with a couple of hours of work.
Might not make a bad flushing dog. A lot of Rabbits and birds are stay at home and hide until you pass by, I've done well picking up the hiders. I send my Terriers into a hedgerow or thick brush, they are hot hunters and if it is in there they'll find it and flush it.