Robin,
It is an upright.
But it hard to expain. You can use the hose similair
to a canister if you take it out of the attachment,
accept the vacuum is still upright.

It is easy to push, but I do not think it is self propelled.
The cord is plenty long, but you have to self wind it.
It does NOT work well on small light area rugs such as a bathroom rug.
(will make a funny loud warning noise)
But it does clean my oriental runner ok.
As for bare floors and wall to wall carpeting it
works great and hugs right up to the base boards.

Be prepared to empty out the vacuume after the 2nd cleaning if Katie sheds like my dogs. lol

moosmom,
I heard good things about the Royal vacuum too.
(but I never tried it.)
My aunt has an Electrolux canister vacuum for over 20 years
and she loves it.