Zack just had behind the ear mats one time, during the summer. I'm not sure why he got them. My theory was that it was because i was flea combing a lot, and as a result, wasn't brushing him like before. He got large thick mats on both sides and i couldn't see any way they could be detangled, but some people on this forum gave me suggestions and hope, or vision, a belief that it could be done and which products to buy, and i got a Four Paws detangling comb, the metal tines are far apart and shaped in an arrow-like formation, it has an easy to grip wooden handle, and i got the 8 in 1 magic coat detangling spray, and it took about an hour on each ear but i didn't have to cut anything, it was hard to believe such a thick tightly woven mat could be detangled, but it happened. If i hadn't seen it with my own eyes i wouldn't have believed it.
He has never gotten a mat since then, yet i can't say what it is that prevents the mats because i haven't been brushing him very often, yet magically, his fur stays pretty neat, and completely unmatted. I just don't know why. He's active, runs and plays every day, goes for walks through bushes and rolling in grass, fairly often gets sticks and leaves stuck in his ear fur, but he doesn't get mats. i don't know why. Other than a silkening spray, i have no ideas about what could help prevent matting.