Wanting something I can hunt with, occasionally. Needs to be smaller and can be a family dog.

Flushing would be nice. Doesn't need to point (quail, dove, maybe pheasant or chukkar).

Have heard lots of suggestions but ran across an English cocker spaniel in the field last week and really liked the size of her.

Other suggestions? No lab. No GSP. No golden.

50lbs or less.

Get the English cocker, I could write a book but will spare you. Ask any questions you may have

Know any good breeders and place to board for training? I'm in north Texas.

GSP
Edit: one day I'll learn to read the whole post!

The only one I know up up that direction is Muddy Paws. The breeder we have used speaks very highly of them.

Had a springer spaniel when I was younger that was around 35-40 pounds and an extremely great companion and bird dog. Had to trim him up in the Spring and Summer though because it get's so hot and they are fuzzy little guys.

Standard poodle

Beagle.

https://www.gundogmag.com/editorial/in-depth-with-the-french-brittany/176218

I owned 3 of them. Excellent retrievers in a pint size. Excellent with kids.

My uncle had a Cocker he hunted quail with. I got to hunt with him and her a few times.
My uncle joked that they were called Cockers because they got every cocklebur in the pasture in her coat. He would sit for hours getting them out hitting his "Pearl" beers.

We took a chance and got a Novia Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. We have fallen in love with the breed and just got our second. Its the perfect temperment for what you just described. They are great hunting and family dogs. hard to go wrong with all the breeds suggested though