Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Great dogs, not very big, affectionate. Essentially a lap dog.
Shedding - all dogs shed, but some definitely shed more than others. Goldens shed. Out of control? Depends on how often you brush them.
If you go to places like Pedigree.com and the American Kennel Club web site, they have breed guides and interactive questionnaires to help you choose the breed best for you.
Short-haired dogs usually can get by with a weekly brushing. Long-haired dogs usually need to be brushed at least twice a week. Double-coated breeds (like the sled dogs) also "blow coat" once or twice a year (think of blowing on a dandelion), in fall and spring. Some dogs, like poodles, need to be brushed but don't shed much - however, they require professional grooming a few times a year (btw, if you want an athletic dog, don't rule out a toy or standard poodle - they're actually very athletic and started out as water retrievers).
The best kind of dog for you depends on what you want to do with your dog. Do you want a jogging companion, or a couch potato? How often do you want to brush your dog? How much training do you want to do (all dogs need basic obedience, but if you want to teach your dog tricks and work on things like agility, you need a smarter breed - but if you don't, a really smart dog will get bored). How much room do you have? An apartment, or a fenced yard?
If you look at the breed guides (or a breed guide from your book store or library), you can find the right dog for you. When you do, please at least visit the breed rescue web site (just search the breed name and rescue) - there are a lot of great dogs waiting for a home and you could save a life