I read that once the main quest advances to a certain point relentless random dragon attacks begin...and will continue even after you have completed the main quest...which doesnt seem to make a lot of sense??
At what point do the random dragon attacks begin?
Can the game be played meaningfully without advancing the main quest to trigger the dragons?

Thanks

I haven't proceeded in the MQ since Helgen and so have yet to start these in the MQ. I've completed both TG and DB questlines and now starting the Companions. Have yet to see a single dragon anywhere in my game.

I would suggest the MQ if you want them attacking you. They give you some good shouts to help kill off the other dragon attacks.

After you complete the quest "Dragon Rising", dragons will start to randomly spawn. I'm pretty sure the more you advane in the MQ, the more common dragons become, but "relentless" is probably an exgaeration.

Yeah I don't like it how the dragons are so common after you finish the MQ. So I try to stay away from progressing in the MQ until I'm ready for dragons around every corner. If you just kill the first dragon then dragons still show up but they aren't very common so it makes each dragon encounter more special.

Thanks for the replies folks...that helps!
I guess to fully explore the game you would require multiple plays?