All trees can controlled in size. It is just a matter of how much effort is involved to keep a certain tree the size you want. This particular tree is a fast grower.
This is a great tree for a yard that needs shade quickly, or a section of yard that would benefit from a mid-to-upper story canopy. You can allow this tree to be full and bushy - which will allow fruit to grow at multiple levels, or train it to grow to a typical upper story tree for shade (this leaves a nice selection of fruit for the birds).
If you want this to be a smaller tree (small being relative), then plan to have the time to prune it regularly, maybe twice a year, and keep up the pruning maintenance. This could help you keep the tree in an 8 foot height range.