RDOG vs VTI
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF vs Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF
Which is better, RDOG or VTI?
Small Cap Value against Large Cap Blend.
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. RDOG is less concentrated, with 25.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%.
MarketXLS is not an investment adviser. This comparison is generated automatically from market data and is for information only. A Best mark means the better reading on that one measure, not a recommendation to buy.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | RDOG | VTI |
|---|---|---|
| Expense Ratio | 0.35% | 0.03%Best |
| AUM | $11M | $666.9B |
| Dividend Yield | 6.14% | 1.03% |
| Holdings | 44 | 3,543 |
| YTD Return | +9.65% | +13.60%Best |
| 1Y Return | +10.95% | +18.17%Best |
| 3Y Return (annualized) | +11.31% | +23.04%Best |
| 5Y Return (annualized) | +1.22% | +12.14%Best |
| Volatility (annualized) | 21.3% | 16.2%Best |
| Max Drawdown | -70.5% | -52.6%Best |
| $10,000 over 5 years | $10,625 | $17,734Best |
| Top 10 Weight | 25.2%Best | 33.3% |
| Fund Family | ALPS Advisors | Vanguard (US) |
| Category | Equity | Equity |
| Style | Small Cap Value | Large Cap Blend |
| Inception | May 7, 2008 | May 24, 2001 |
Volatility and max drawdown are measured over the window both funds cover: May 9, 2008 to Sep 25, 2026 (18.4 years).
RDOG vs VTI growth
Month-end closes. Both lines start at 0% in the first month shown, so the gap between them is the difference in growth across that window. The full view covers the 18.4 years both funds cover.
RDOG vs VTI Performance
ALPS REIT Dividend Dogs ETF (RDOG) is an ETF from ALPS Advisors and Vanguard Morningstar Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) is an ETF from Vanguard (US). Over the past year RDOG returned +10.95% while VTI returned +18.17%. Year to date, RDOG is up 9.65% versus a gain of 13.60% for VTI.
Over three years, RDOG compounded at +11.31% per year against +23.04% for VTI; over five years the annualized figures are +1.22% and +12.14% respectively. Across the full 18-year window we track, VTI has the edge at +10.17% annualized vs +0.55%.
Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Risk: Volatility and Drawdowns
RDOG has been the more volatile fund, with annualized monthly volatility of 21.3% compared with 16.2% for VTI. Lower volatility generally means a smoother ride, though it often comes with lower long-run returns.
The deepest peak-to-trough decline in our data was -70.5% for RDOG and -52.6% for VTI. Drawdown depth is what each fund did in the worst stretch of the window measured above.
The two funds' monthly returns correlate at 0.82. They usually move together, but the gap leaves some room for diversification.
Fees and Cost Over Time
RDOG charges 0.35% per year while VTI charges 0.03%. On a $10,000 position that is $35 vs $3 annually, a gap of $32 per year that compounds over a long holding period. On income, RDOG currently yields 6.14% against 1.03% for VTI.
Holdings Overlap
97.0% of RDOG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.7% of VTI's money is in holdings RDOG also owns.
Most of RDOG is already inside VTI. Owning both mostly buys the same companies twice.
42 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in RDOG and 3,463 in VTI, against full books of 44 and 3,543.
What only one of them owns
Measured across the 43 and 3,463 positions we hold weights for.
VTI holds 1,133 positions RDOG does not, 96.8% of the fund.
Largest: NVDA 6.40%, AAPL 6.29%, MSFT 4.79%, AMZN 3.65%, GOOGL 2.90%
Top Shared Holdings
| Stock | Weight in RDOG | Weight in VTI | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| LXPLxp Industrial Trust [Lxp] | 2.73% | 0.00% | 2.73% |
| SLGSl Green Realty Corp. | 2.61% | 0.01% | 2.60% |
| UMHUmh Properties Inc | 2.57% | 0.00% | 2.57% |
| PKPark Hotels And Resorts Inc Reit USD .01 | 2.52% | 0.00% | 2.52% |
| EQIXEquinix Inc. Real Estate Investment Trust | 2.37% | 0.14% | 2.23% |
| DLRDigital Realty Trust Inc. | 2.41% | 0.09% | 2.32% |
| COLDAmericold Realty Trust | 2.47% | 0.01% | 2.46% |
| RHPRyman Healthcare Limited | 2.47% | 0.01% | 2.46% |
| GOODGladstone Commercial Corporation | 2.47% | 0.00% | 2.47% |
| HIWHighwoods Properties Inc | 2.45% | 0.01% | 2.44% |
97.0% of RDOG is already inside VTI.
You probably hold more than these two. Add the rest and see how much of the whole book is the same companies twice.
Free for up to 10 holdings. No account needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is cheaper, RDOG or VTI?
RDOG has an expense ratio of 0.35% while VTI charges 0.03%. VTI is the cheaper option, by $32 a year on a $10,000 investment.
Which performed better, RDOG or VTI?
Over the past year RDOG returned +10.95% vs +18.17% for VTI, so VTI leads on 1-year performance. Over the longest common window we track (18 years), RDOG annualized +0.55% vs +10.17% for VTI. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is information, not a recommendation.
Which is riskier, RDOG or VTI?
RDOG has been the more volatile fund at 21.3% annualized versus 16.2% for VTI. Worst drawdown: RDOG -70.5% vs VTI -52.6%.
Should I hold both RDOG and VTI?
RDOG and VTI have a monthly-return correlation of 0.82, so their returns are far enough apart for the mix to behave differently from either one alone. This is information, not a recommendation.
What is the holdings overlap between RDOG and VTI?
97.0% of RDOG's money is in holdings VTI also owns. 0.7% of VTI's is in holdings RDOG also owns. They hold 42 positions in common, counted across the 43 positions we hold weights for in RDOG and 3,463 in VTI.
Which pays a higher dividend, RDOG or VTI?
RDOG yields 6.14% while VTI yields 1.03%, so RDOG currently pays the higher dividend yield.
Is VTI better than RDOG?
VTI has a lower expense ratio. VTI led over 1Y, 3Y, 5Y and the full window. RDOG is less concentrated, with 25.2% of the fund in its ten largest positions against 33.3%. Which one suits a particular account depends on what it is for. This is information, not a recommendation.