Merlin the Sheepdog
The Williams family big loyal loveable sheepdog... and also the faithful mount of a brave knight.
Where is he from?
Merlin is Sarah's big shaggy sheepdog from the 1986's Labyrinth. The movie begins with her reciting from her book to him in a park before the two run home. Later in the movie when we meet Sir Didymus, his mount Ambrosius looks exactly like Merlin. Ambrosius is a puppet in his close-ups, where he's performed by Steve Whitmire & Kevin Clash, while his vocalizations are performed by Percy Edwards. There is actually no information about the name of the dog that performed both Merlin and Ambrosius... even the online groups i found that track animal actors were stumped. All I can say definitively is that he is obviously a very good boy.
Comic Appearances
GND 205 - Toby & the Goblins use Merlin the Sheepdog to distract Karen and call Sarah to borrow Ludo on the playground with
Totoro & Mei Kusakabe, Sully & Boo, Lilo & Stitch, Calvin & Hobbes, Bastian & Falkor, and Max & a Wild Thing.
Totoro & Mei Kusakabe, Sully & Boo, Lilo & Stitch, Calvin & Hobbes, Bastian & Falkor, and Max & a Wild Thing.
GND 207 - Sarah & Luna meet Hoggle, Sir Didymus & Ambrosius outside the Labyrinth, knowing Jareth will be somewhere inside.
GND 208 - Luna solves the Labrinth without the Worm, and reminds Sarah that when she did it, she was worried about Toby & had to deal with Jareth. Sir Didymus & Ambrosius sally forth.
GND 209 - After yelling the French Taunter's insults at the Labyrinth Goblins; Sarah, Luna, Sir Didymus & Ambrosius meet a Mystic, the Wiseman & the Hat, who recognizes Jareth pendant.
GND 210 - Sarah, Luna, Sir Didymus & Ambrosius contiue past the Wiseman & the Mystic after adopting the Hat (which is not related to the Sorting Hat)
GND 217 - Sarah & Jareth panic that a Chicken might have his pendant and show it to the Goblins, but Luna finds it. Sir Didymus rejoices when Ambrosius finds the Hat.
Another Fluffed Attempt (JS Christmas) - Sarah & Owl-Jareth share a holiday cuddle, while Merlin & the Goblins look on.
GND and the Infinite Sadness: a communique - Ludo, Hoggle, Sir Didymus & Ambrosius morn the loss of Davie Bowie before Jareth removes it and the album Blackstar from cannon because it would make Sarah sad... much to the chagrin of Crowley & Aziraphale.