I can believe that of a Charlie, but could you believe it of a Newfoundland?
When our first Newfoundland (Shanty) was about 5 months old we took her to the beach. The sight of all that water was too much for a Newfie and she took off towards the sea. The first wave took her legs from under her and rolled her over in the surf. Once upright, she headed back to us with her wet tail between her legs. Nothing would persuade her to go near that dangerous stuff again. Encouragement, calling, treats, nothing worked.
Faced with the ignominious prospect of having a Newfie that was afraid of water, I did the only thing I could think of. While my wife distracted Shanty I went into the water and swam out about 20 yards, then started splashing and shouting. Even at that tender age, Shanty’s instinct to save kicked in. She came straight through the surf and swam to me. Disaster averted!