I've had a dwarf "Starking Hardy Giant" for about 10 years. It is pollinated with a bartlett, seems to be pretty much disease free, and is relatively free of bug damage, especially when compared to the rest of my fruit trees. It is about 10 feet tall, but I keep it at that height by topping it when I prune. Last year was the first year we didn't get fruit due to the late, hard, freeze. They are very good eating and keep very well.

Get several varaties with different ripen dates to extend the harvest and provide pollination for each other.

I don't think I'd plant standard size trees. Why create a future height problem when you don't need to.

Paul