IDOG vs. DFIV

Last updated Aug 2, 2026

IDOG (ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF) and DFIV (Dimensional International Value ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds. IDOG is passively managed, while DFIV is actively managed. Over the past 3 years, IDOG returned 20.44%/yr vs 23.26%/yr for DFIV. Their correlation of 0.91 means they have usually moved in the same direction. IDOG charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for DFIV.

Performance

IDOG vs. DFIV - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG) and Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

The year-to-date returns for both investments are quite close, with IDOG having a 16.35% return and DFIV slightly higher at 16.68%.

IDOG

• 1D: -0.32%
• 1M: 5.35%
• 6M: 11.47%
• YTD: 16.35%
• 1Y: 34.60%
• 3Y*: 20.44%
• 5Y*: 14.35%
• 10Y*: 10.97%
• ALL TIME*: 8.89%

DFIV

• 1D: -0.47%
• 1M: 4.37%
• 6M: 10.06%
• YTD: 16.68%
• 1Y: 37.44%
• 3Y*: 23.26%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —
• ALL TIME*: 16.12%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

Liquidity Comparison

Position	Avg. Volume Value (2W)	Avg. Volume Value (1M)	Avg. Volume Value (3M)
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF	$76.53M	$67.72M	$67.89M
IDOG ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	$1.60M	$1.44M	$1.23M

IDOG vs. DFIV - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
IDOG ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	16.35%	39.94%	1.35%	23.57%	-4.50%	0.88%
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF	16.68%	45.36%	7.26%	17.75%	-3.70%	0.50%

Correlation

The correlation between IDOG and DFIV is 0.83, meaning they have usually moved in the same direction, including during past declines.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Focuses on recent behavior, but can change the most.	0.83
Correlation (3Y) Balances recent behavior with more history.	0.88
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 13, 2021	0.91

The correlation between IDOG and DFIV has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

IDOG vs. DFIV - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDOG	DFIV
Industrials	12.3%	9.8%
Financial Services	10.6%	34.3%
Healthcare	10.4%	5.4%
Consumer Defensive	10.3%	5.2%
Utilities	10.2%	2.3%
Consumer Cyclical	10.1%	9.7%
Basic Materials	9.8%	10.5%
Communication Services	9.5%	4.0%
Energy	9.2%	14.1%
Technology	7.7%	3.1%
Real Estate	-	1.7%

Return for Risk

IDOG vs. DFIV — Risk / Return Rank

Compare historical risk-adjusted metric ranks over the past 12 months.

IDOG

IDOG Risk / Return Rank: 93
IDOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 94
IDOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 93
IDOG Omega Ratio Rank: 92
IDOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
IDOG Martin Ratio Rank: 93

DFIV

DFIV Risk / Return Rank: 93
DFIV Sharpe Ratio Rank: 95
DFIV Sortino Ratio Rank: 94
DFIV Omega Ratio Rank: 93
DFIV Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
DFIV Martin Ratio Rank: 91

The rank (0–100) uses a weighted average of the Sharpe, Sortino, Omega, Calmar, and Martin percentile ranks for the trailing 12 months. Higher means stronger historical risk-adjusted performance within the peer group.

IDOG vs. DFIV - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG) and Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	IDOG	DFIV	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	2.64	2.69	-0.05
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.48	3.65	-0.16
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.48	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.43	3.86	+1.57
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	16.84	14.96	+1.88

IDOG vs. DFIV - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDOG Sharpe Ratio is 2.64, which is comparable to the DFIV Sharpe Ratio of 2.69. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDOG and DFIV, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

IDOG vs. DFIV - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDOG drawdown since its inception was -37.32%, which is greater than DFIV's maximum drawdown of -25.42%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDOG and DFIV.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDOG	DFIV	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.32%	-25.42%	-11.90%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.47%	-9.66%	+3.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.92%	-14.72%	+0.80%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.31%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.32%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.32%	-0.47%	+0.15%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.86%	-4.37%	-3.49%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.08%	2.49%	-0.41%

Volatility

IDOG vs. DFIV - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG) is 2.95%, while Dimensional International Value ETF (DFIV) has a volatility of 3.89%. This indicates that IDOG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than DFIV based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IDOG	DFIV	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.95%	3.89%	-0.94%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.82%	11.59%	-0.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.39%	13.91%	-0.52%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.64%	16.55%	-0.91%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.09%	16.55%	+0.54%

IDOG vs. DFIV - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDOG has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than DFIV's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDOG vs. DFIV - Dividend Comparison

IDOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 4.23%, more than DFIV's 2.58% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
DFIV Dimensional International Value ETF	2.58%	2.92%	3.88%	3.93%	3.84%	2.30%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
IDOG ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	4.23%	4.26%	4.90%	4.86%	4.46%	3.85%	3.00%	5.41%	4.50%	3.33%	4.01%	4.19%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDOG and DFIV in my portfolio?

IDOG and DFIV have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, IDOG or DFIV?

DFIV has higher volatility (3.89%) compared to IDOG (2.95%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDOG dropped -37.32% vs DFIV's -25.42%.

Which ETF is better, IDOG or DFIV?

On 3-year performance, DFIV leads with 23.26% vs 20.44% for IDOG. On fees, DFIV is cheaper at 0.27% per year. On volatility, IDOG has been the lower-risk option at 2.95%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDOG or DFIV?

Over the 3-year period, DFIV has performed better with a 23.26% return vs 20.44%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDOG or DFIV?

DFIV is cheaper with a 0.27% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for IDOG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, IDOG or DFIV?

IDOG has the higher dividend yield at 4.23%, compared with 2.58% for DFIV.

What is the main difference between IDOG and DFIV?

They also come from different issuers: SS&C and Dimensional. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for IDOG and 0.27% for DFIV.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

DFIV currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.69 vs 2.64), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.