Performing dog in variety (5)
I believe the answer is:
doing
'performing' is the definition.
('do' can be a synonym of 'perform')
'dog in variety' is the wordplay.
'variety' indicates anagramming the letters.
'dog'+'in'='dogin'
'dogin' with letters rearranged gives 'DOING'.
(Other definitions for doing that I've seen before include "Hoaxing" , "Faring" , "visiting as a tourist" , "deed?" , "Accomplishing" .)