Brushing a completely dry coat can damage it and make your matting issues worse. Using a grooming spray (if you check the grooming section here on YT, you will find LOTS of recomendations on grooming supplies.) \
If he hates brushing, you really have to get him used to it if you want to keep him in long coat. You might want to start by cutting out his mats, then start daily brushing sessions, make it short and he will get used to it as long as you are gentle.
I would highly recommend a wooden pin brush and never use the wire brush again (if you are talking about a matt rake type brush, that will tear up his coat terribly) a good quality (Chris Christianson products are great)
A brass or stainless pin brush is another good tool. But for now I would def recommend you start with the wooden pin brush and brush his coat from the outer parts to the inside, not just one long stroke at first as that is what hurts them |