@@ -441,5 +441,21 @@ def _set_alternates(self, alts):
 
     alternates = property(_get_alternates, _set_alternates)
 
+    @property
+    def is_dirty(self):
+        """Returns the status of the working directory.
+        
+        Returns
+            ``True``, if the working directory has any uncommitted changes,
+            otherwise ``False``
+        
+        """
+        if self.bare:
+            # Bare repositories with no associated working directory are
+            # always consired to be clean.
+            return False
+        
+        return len(self.git.diff('HEAD').strip()) > 0
+
     def __repr__(self):
         return '<GitPython.Repo "%s">' % self.path
@@ -296,3 +296,21 @@ def test_log_with_path_and_options(self, git):
     #     #     Commit.expects(:find_all).with(other_repo, ref, :max_count => 1).returns([stub()])
     #     delta_commits = self.repo.commit_deltas_from(other_repo)
     #     assert_equal(3, len(delta_commits))
+
+    def test_is_dirty_with_bare_repository(self):
+        self.repo.bare = True
+        assert_false(self.repo.is_dirty)
+
+    @patch(Git, '_call_process')
+    def test_is_dirty_with_clean_working_dir(self, git):
+        self.repo.bare = False
+        git.return_value = ''
+        assert_false(self.repo.is_dirty)
+        assert_equal(git.call_args, (('diff', 'HEAD'), {}))
+    
+    @patch(Git, '_call_process')
+    def test_is_dirty_with_dirty_working_dir(self, git):
+        self.repo.bare = False
+        git.return_value = '''-aaa\n+bbb'''
+        assert_true(self.repo.is_dirty)
+        assert_equal(git.call_args, (('diff', 'HEAD'), {}))