yes - rugosas are roses, they are far hardier than the typical hydrid teas/polyanthas most people have. several cities have them here in road medians and between the street and sidewalk. they're cut down super short every spring and they don't get more than two feet or so tall. some are thorny, (but they're small), some aren't as much.
here are some that only grow to about two feet.
I have a climber (not a rugosa) that has super nasty thornes - even after the cane died, the thorns are there and they are nasty. (my thumb is still healing from one of those thorns) But - new dawn - is a beautiful rose. it's daughter is awakening. classic english rose shape. both highly rated climbers, but I digress.
here are miniature (1 - 2 ft) roses from high country roses. I've had good luck with plants from them - they're very small, cut off any blooms until they're bigger as it can kill them. I like heirloom roses (you get a bigger plant), but find them pricey. both are roses on their own roots. over the long haul - own root roses tend to be healthier and longer lived. but much slower to market size.
I like rugosas because all I have to do is prune them for shape and size (and not much then.) I can basically ignore them otherwise. some are incredibly fragrant.