SDOG vs. VDIGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

SDOG (ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF) and VDIGX (Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund) are both funds - SDOG is a Large Cap Value Equities fund tracking the S-Network Sector Dividend Dogs Index, while VDIGX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by Vanguard. Over the past 10 years, SDOG returned 9.59%/yr vs 12.30%/yr for VDIGX. A 0.79 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. SDOG charges 0.36%/yr vs 0.27%/yr for VDIGX.

Performance

SDOG vs. VDIGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) and Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, SDOG achieves a 14.21% return, which is significantly higher than VDIGX's 2.63% return. Over the past 10 years, SDOG has underperformed VDIGX with an annualized return of 9.59%, while VDIGX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.30% annualized return.

SDOG

• 1D: -0.91%
• 1M: 3.56%
• YTD: 14.21%
• 6M: 15.85%
• 1Y: 24.70%
• 3Y*: 16.65%
• 5Y*: 8.48%
• 10Y*: 9.59%

VDIGX

• 1D: 0.32%
• 1M: 3.43%
• YTD: 2.63%
• 6M: 2.55%
• 1Y: 8.31%
• 3Y*: 14.07%
• 5Y*: 9.83%
• 10Y*: 12.30%

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

SDOG vs. VDIGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
SDOG ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	14.21%	11.12%	14.70%	4.19%	-0.20%	24.59%	-0.35%	24.02%	-11.43%	12.65%
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	2.63%	11.11%	20.84%	8.11%	-4.89%	24.86%	12.04%	30.94%	0.08%	19.32%

Correlation

The correlation between SDOG and VDIGX is 0.71, 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	0.71
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.72
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.77
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.77
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2012	0.79

The correlation between SDOG and VDIGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.71 to 0.79 - a consistent structural relationship.

SDOG vs. VDIGX - Sectors Allocation Comparison

Sectors	SDOG	VDIGX
Consumer Cyclical	15.0%	10.7%
Technology	14.1%	23.6%
Financial Services	11.0%	20.1%
Energy	9.9%	1.1%
Consumer Defensive	9.8%	7.9%
Healthcare	9.7%	16.1%
Utilities	9.4%	0.5%
Communication Services	9.0%	2.3%
Industrials	8.0%	14.9%
Basic Materials	4.1%	2.6%
Real Estate	-	-

Return for Risk

SDOG vs. VDIGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

SDOG

SDOG Risk / Return Rank: 68
SDOG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 64
SDOG Sortino Ratio Rank: 71
SDOG Omega Ratio Rank: 61
SDOG Calmar Ratio Rank: 77
SDOG Martin Ratio Rank: 69

VDIGX

VDIGX Risk / Return Rank: 11
VDIGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 11
VDIGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 11
VDIGX Omega Ratio Rank: 10
VDIGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 9
VDIGX Martin Ratio Rank: 12

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.

SDOG vs. VDIGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) and Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX). 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.

	SDOG	VDIGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.17	0.86	+1.31
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.26	1.32	+1.94
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.38	1.15	+0.23
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.98	0.95	+3.03
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	12.78	3.67	+9.11
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

SDOG vs. VDIGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current SDOG Sharpe Ratio is 2.17, which is higher than the VDIGX Sharpe Ratio of 0.86. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of SDOG and VDIGX, 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

	SDOG	VDIGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.17	0.86	+1.31
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.55	0.71	-0.16
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.50	0.79	-0.28
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.62	+0.03

Drawdowns

SDOG vs. VDIGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum SDOG drawdown since its inception was -43.56%, roughly equal to the maximum VDIGX drawdown of -45.23%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for SDOG and VDIGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	SDOG	VDIGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-43.56%	-45.23%	+1.67%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-6.24%	-9.09%	+2.85%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-16.00%	-10.23%	-5.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-19.84%	-16.18%	-3.66%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-43.56%	-32.98%	-10.58%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-0.91%	-0.10%	-0.81%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-4.92%	-6.65%	+1.73%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	1.94%	2.36%	-0.42%

Volatility

SDOG vs. VDIGX - Volatility Comparison

ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF (SDOG) has a higher volatility of 3.02% compared to Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund (VDIGX) at 2.33%. This indicates that SDOG's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than VDIGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	SDOG	VDIGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	3.02%	2.33%	+0.69%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	7.93%	7.61%	+0.32%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	11.42%	10.06%	+1.36%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	15.42%	13.86%	+1.56%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	19.06%	15.70%	+3.36%

SDOG vs. VDIGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

SDOG has a 0.36% expense ratio, which is higher than VDIGX's 0.27% expense ratio.

Dividends

SDOG vs. VDIGX - Dividend Comparison

SDOG's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 3.35%, less than VDIGX's 23.93% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
SDOG ALPS Sector Dividend Dogs ETF	3.35%	3.68%	3.86%	4.29%	3.87%	3.62%	3.63%	3.37%	4.03%	3.27%	3.32%	3.61%
VDIGX Vanguard Dividend Growth Fund	23.93%	21.90%	21.94%	2.29%	6.06%	5.45%	2.83%	4.70%	8.72%	5.16%	2.86%	5.70%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both SDOG and VDIGX in my portfolio?

SDOG and VDIGX have a correlation of 0.71, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, SDOG or VDIGX?

SDOG has higher volatility (3.02%) compared to VDIGX (2.33%). In terms of maximum drawdown, SDOG dropped -43.56% vs VDIGX's -45.23%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

SDOG currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.17 vs 0.86), 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.