The "Dog Tag" appears on certain U.S Home Carts that released early in the Neo's life. The Dog was kind of like SNK's attempt at U.S marketing...some what of a mascot. Since all of us big bad Americans like bad ass things, we got that freak'n dog instead of the cool Japanese Neo logo. I think the dog looks lame, but carts with the dog tag go for a bit more because there was less of them printed then without.Hope that helps.>>>