So, do mats need to be avoided or combed out? Yes, but not because of the reason most of us think. Usually people will say that the dog's skin needs to breathe. This is not the reason. Dog's skin does not function like a human's skin. We have pores fed by capillaries that goes to the surface of the skin where waste is exchanged for oxygen. We sweat and breathe through our skin even more than we do through our mouth.
A dog, on the other hand, sweats through it's mouth, paws, and ears and any orfice. Their skin does not breath like ours and this is also the reason a dog can swim in cold water and lay on the snow. It's part of the reason they don't need wetsuits or sleeping bags. They have a natural covering that is largely unaffected by the elements because it does not breathe. Having this type of vapor barrier along with a warm insulation, like dense hair, and you have nature's best outdoor gear.
However, this vapor barrier needs an opportunity to dry out and get some air and sun so that at the surface bacteria that is not good, is not allowed to grow in wets mats of hair and fur. Keeping a dog's coat well groomed is hence, an important part of dog care. If you let it go too long you may need the help of a professional to comb or cut them out. Regular grooming by a professional is also a good option.
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