IDOG vs. VEA

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

IDOG (ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF) and VEA (Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF) are both Foreign Large Cap Equities funds - IDOG tracks the S-Network International Sector Dividend Dogs Index while VEA tracks the FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, IDOG returned 11.04%/yr vs 10.27%/yr for VEA. Their correlation of 0.90 suggests significant overlap in exposure. IDOG charges 0.50%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VEA.

Performance

IDOG vs. VEA - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IDOG achieves a 14.56% return, which is significantly lower than VEA's 15.96% return. Over the past 10 years, IDOG has outperformed VEA with an annualized return of 11.04%, while VEA has yielded a comparatively lower 10.27% annualized return.

IDOG

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 2.78%
• YTD: 14.56%
• 6M: 18.11%
• 1Y: 34.92%
• 3Y*: 22.15%
• 5Y*: 13.68%
• 10Y*: 11.04%

VEA

• 1D: 0.63%
• 1M: 5.24%
• YTD: 15.96%
• 6M: 19.86%
• 1Y: 32.71%
• 3Y*: 20.13%
• 5Y*: 10.01%
• 10Y*: 10.27%

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

IDOG vs. VEA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IDOG ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	14.56%	39.94%	1.35%	23.57%	-4.50%	11.33%	-1.78%	21.93%	-13.47%	25.61%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	15.96%	35.16%	3.15%	17.93%	-15.34%	11.66%	9.71%	22.62%	-14.75%	26.42%

Correlation

The correlation between IDOG and VEA is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.87
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.89
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 1, 2013	0.90

The correlation between IDOG and VEA shifts across timeframes, from 0.78 (1 year) to 0.90 (all time), reflecting how their relationship changes across market environments.

IDOG vs. VEA - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	IDOG	VEA
Industrials	11.7%	19.2%
Financial Services	11.0%	23.3%
Energy	10.7%	5.4%
Utilities	10.0%	3.3%
Basic Materials	10.0%	7.5%
Communication Services	9.9%	3.4%
Consumer Cyclical	9.5%	7.5%
Consumer Defensive	9.4%	5.6%
Healthcare	9.3%	8.2%
Technology	8.5%	13.8%
Real Estate	-	2.7%

Return for Risk

IDOG vs. VEA — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IDOG

IDOG Risk / Return Rank: 82
IDOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 80
IDOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 77
IDOG Omega Ratio Rank: 74
IDOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 90
IDOG Martin Ratio Rank: 88

VEA

VEA Risk / Return Rank: 61
VEA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 62
VEA Sortino Ratio Rank: 61
VEA Omega Ratio Rank: 62
VEA Calmar Ratio Rank: 59
VEA Martin Ratio Rank: 63

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

IDOG vs. VEA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG) and Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA). 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.

	IDOG	VEA	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.63	2.10	+0.53
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.52	2.89	+0.63
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.45	1.38	+0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.58	2.94	+2.63
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	19.56	11.50	+8.06
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IDOG vs. VEA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IDOG Sharpe Ratio is 2.63, which is comparable to the VEA Sharpe Ratio of 2.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IDOG and VEA, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IDOG	VEA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.63	2.10	+0.53
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.88	0.61	+0.27
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.64	0.59	+0.04
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.52	0.25	+0.27

Drawdowns

IDOG vs. VEA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IDOG drawdown since its inception was -37.32%, smaller than the maximum VEA drawdown of -60.68%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IDOG and VEA.

Drawdown Indicators

	IDOG	VEA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-37.32%	-60.68%	+23.36%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.47%	-11.63%	+5.16%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-13.92%	-13.45%	-0.47%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-25.31%	-29.71%	+4.40%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-37.32%	-35.73%	-1.59%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-7.93%	-13.29%	+5.36%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.85%	2.98%	-1.13%

Volatility

IDOG vs. VEA - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (IDOG) is 4.22%, while Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF (VEA) has a volatility of 5.73%. This indicates that IDOG experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than VEA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IDOG	VEA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.22%	5.73%	-1.51%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.07%	13.30%	-3.23%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	13.34%	15.66%	-2.32%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.61%	16.55%	-0.94%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.45%	17.36%	+0.09%

IDOG vs. VEA - Expense Ratio Comparison

IDOG has a 0.50% expense ratio, which is higher than VEA's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

IDOG vs. VEA - Dividend Comparison

IDOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.40%, more than VEA's 2.59% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IDOG ALPS International Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	3.40%	4.26%	4.90%	4.86%	4.46%	3.85%	3.00%	5.41%	4.50%	3.33%	4.01%	4.19%
VEA Vanguard FTSE Developed Markets ETF	2.59%	3.22%	3.35%	3.15%	2.91%	3.16%	2.04%	3.04%	3.35%	2.77%	3.05%	2.92%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both IDOG and VEA in my portfolio?

IDOG and VEA have a correlation of 0.78, 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 VEA?

VEA has higher volatility (5.73%) compared to IDOG (4.22%). In terms of maximum drawdown, IDOG dropped -37.32% vs VEA's -60.68%.

Which ETF is better, IDOG or VEA?

On 10-year performance, IDOG leads with 11.04% vs 10.27% for VEA. On fees, VEA is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, IDOG has been the lower-risk option at 4.22%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, IDOG or VEA?

Over the 10-year period, IDOG has performed better with a 11.04% return vs 10.27%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, IDOG or VEA?

VEA is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.50% for IDOG.

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

IDOG has the higher dividend yield at 3.40%, compared with 2.59% for VEA.

What is the main difference between IDOG and VEA?

IDOG tracks S-Network International Sector Dividend Dogs Index, while VEA tracks FTSE Developed All Cap ex US Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.50% for IDOG and 0.03% for VEA.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

IDOG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.63 vs 2.10), 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.