Hydroxy-functional polyester-polyurethane dispersions comprising a reaction product of: (a) at least one, at least difunctional polyol component; (b) at least one ionizable compound having at least one acid group and at least one functional group capable of reacting with isocyanate groups, the at least one functional group selected from the group consisting of mono-, di-, and trihydroxycarboxylic acids, hydroxysulfonic acids, aminosulfonic acids, and aminocarboxylic acids; (c) at least one acid anhydride; and (d) at least one, at least difunctional polyisocyanate component; methods for preparing such dispersions; compositions containing such dispersions; and uses thereof.