I am looking after my sister's Springer for a few weeks whilst she is on holiday.  I have noticed that she has a very crusty nose and her ears are full of thick brown wax.  She has a musty smell about her as well.
She has had this crusty nose for several years (she is 9 years old).  I know my sister has tried several lotions and potions of which none have had any real effect on the nose or in the ears.
She is fed on Bakers at my sister's. I will not feed complete foods to my Affenpinschers they are fed on raw tripe,chicken or breast of lamb. 
Whilst the Springer is staying with me she will be fed the same as my dogs.
I did read an article in one of the dog papers about a Springer that had the nose problem and the owner put them on a complete food and had great success-can not remember the food though.
Any ideas anyone about the nose and ear problem ?

Sounds like a ripe case for a homoeopathic vet.

This is from an e mail list I am on re ears
<Has the vet said if the dog has *just* an infection, or has ear mites? If an infection, use the garlic for six days, then one day off. Repeat for one week, and another week, if still there.

If mites, use for 3 days, then 2 days off, use for another 3 days, then 2 days off. (If you're not sure, use the first regime.) Repeat until clear.

Buy yourself some Hoffell's garlic pearls. If you can't get them, get a good brand of other capsules. Do not buy the odourless capsules, because they won't work. After cleaning the ear.........I use a piece of cotton wool, soaked with Witch Hazel, and then well squeezed.........don't go too far down. Now, just pierce the capsule with a pin, and let it trickle down into the ear. Gently massage the base of the ear to encourage distribution. Do both ears even if only one seems to be affected.>

Might be of help