RDOG vs. VOO

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

RDOG (ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF) and VOO (Vanguard S&P 500 ETF) are both exchange-traded funds - RDOG is a REIT fund tracking the S-Network REIT Dividend Dogs Index, while VOO is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, RDOG returned 4.14%/yr vs 15.65%/yr for VOO. A 0.62 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. RDOG charges 0.35%/yr vs 0.03%/yr for VOO.

Performance

RDOG vs. VOO - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (RDOG) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, RDOG achieves a 14.68% return, which is significantly higher than VOO's 11.69% return. Over the past 10 years, RDOG has underperformed VOO with an annualized return of 4.14%, while VOO has yielded a comparatively higher 15.65% annualized return.

RDOG

• 1D: 0.35%
• 1M: 3.37%
• YTD: 14.68%
• 6M: 15.68%
• 1Y: 21.50%
• 3Y*: 11.70%
• 5Y*: 2.37%
• 10Y*: 4.14%

VOO

• 1D: 0.14%
• 1M: 5.39%
• YTD: 11.69%
• 6M: 12.11%
• 1Y: 29.68%
• 3Y*: 22.73%
• 5Y*: 14.26%
• 10Y*: 15.65%

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

RDOG vs. VOO - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
RDOG ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF	14.68%	0.95%	4.57%	10.38%	-25.53%	34.42%	-10.01%	21.54%	-5.70%	11.84%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	11.69%	17.82%	24.98%	26.32%	-18.17%	28.79%	18.32%	31.37%	-4.50%	21.77%

Correlation

The correlation between RDOG and VOO is 0.35, which is low. Their price movements are largely independent, making them effective diversification partners.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.35
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.48
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.58
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.56
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Sep 10, 2010	0.62

Over the past year, the correlation between RDOG and VOO has dropped to 0.35 - well below their long-term average of 0.62, suggesting their price drivers have been diverging.

RDOG vs. VOO - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	RDOG	VOO
Real Estate	100.0%	1.9%
Basic Materials	-	1.8%
Communication Services	-	11.3%
Consumer Cyclical	-	10.2%
Consumer Defensive	-	4.9%
Energy	-	3.5%
Financial Services	-	11.6%
Healthcare	-	8.5%
Industrials	-	8.3%
Technology	-	35.7%
Utilities	-	2.4%

Return for Risk

RDOG vs. VOO — Risk / Return Rank

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

RDOG

RDOG Risk / Return Rank: 42
RDOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 42
RDOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 43
RDOG Omega Ratio Rank: 38
RDOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 42
RDOG Martin Ratio Rank: 42

VOO

VOO Risk / Return Rank: 75
VOO Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VOO Sortino Ratio Rank: 75
VOO Omega Ratio Rank: 76
VOO Calmar Ratio Rank: 68
VOO Martin Ratio Rank: 80

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.

RDOG vs. VOO - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (RDOG) and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO). 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.

	RDOG	VOO	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.49	2.53	-1.04
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	2.16	3.43	-1.27
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.46	-0.21
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.14	3.42	-1.28
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.95	15.95	-8.99
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

RDOG vs. VOO - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current RDOG Sharpe Ratio is 1.49, which is lower than the VOO Sharpe Ratio of 2.53. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of RDOG and VOO, 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

	RDOG	VOO	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.49	2.53	-1.04
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.12	0.85	-0.73
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.18	0.87	-0.69
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.17	0.89	-0.72

Drawdowns

RDOG vs. VOO - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum RDOG drawdown since its inception was -67.59%, which is greater than VOO's maximum drawdown of -33.99%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for RDOG and VOO.

Drawdown Indicators

	RDOG	VOO	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.59%	-33.99%	-33.60%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.02%	-8.90%	-1.12%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-21.40%	-18.69%	-2.71%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-35.52%	-24.52%	-11.00%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-49.35%	-33.99%	-15.36%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.24%	0.00%	-1.24%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-12.26%	-3.69%	-8.57%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.09%	1.91%	+1.18%

Volatility

RDOG vs. VOO - Volatility Comparison

ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (RDOG) has a higher volatility of 4.15% compared to Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (VOO) at 2.74%. This indicates that RDOG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VOO based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	RDOG	VOO	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	4.15%	2.74%	+1.41%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	10.43%	8.88%	+1.55%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	14.49%	11.78%	+2.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.84%	16.81%	+3.03%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.05%	18.01%	+5.04%

RDOG vs. VOO - Expense Ratio Comparison

RDOG has a 0.35% expense ratio, which is higher than VOO's 0.03% expense ratio.

Dividends

RDOG vs. VOO - Dividend Comparison

RDOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 6.08%, more than VOO's 1.02% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
RDOG ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF	6.08%	6.91%	6.11%	7.07%	5.25%	3.11%	5.12%	3.10%	3.13%	3.64%	3.66%	3.43%
VOO Vanguard S&P 500 ETF	1.02%	1.13%	1.24%	1.46%	1.69%	1.25%	1.54%	1.88%	2.06%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both RDOG and VOO in my portfolio?

RDOG and VOO have a correlation of 0.35, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, RDOG or VOO?

RDOG has higher volatility (4.15%) compared to VOO (2.74%). In terms of maximum drawdown, RDOG dropped -67.59% vs VOO's -33.99%.

Which ETF is better, RDOG or VOO?

On 10-year performance, VOO leads with 15.65% vs 4.14% for RDOG. On fees, VOO is cheaper at 0.03% per year. On volatility, VOO has been the lower-risk option at 2.74%. The better choice depends on whether you care most about return, fees, risk, or income.

Which ETF has performed better, RDOG or VOO?

Over the 10-year period, VOO has performed better with a 15.65% return vs 4.14%. Past performance does not guarantee future results, so compare this with risk, fees, and fund exposure.

Which ETF is cheaper, RDOG or VOO?

VOO is cheaper with a 0.03% expense ratio, compared with 0.35% for RDOG.

Which ETF pays a higher dividend yield, RDOG or VOO?

RDOG has the higher dividend yield at 6.08%, compared with 1.02% for VOO.

What is the main difference between RDOG and VOO?

RDOG is categorized as REIT, while VOO is S&P 500. RDOG tracks S-Network REIT Dividend Dogs Index, while VOO tracks S&P 500 Index. They also come from different issuers: SS&C and Vanguard. Their fees differ too: 0.35% for RDOG and 0.03% for VOO.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

VOO currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.53 vs 1.49), 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.